Misconduct charges: Calvin Brutus fired from Guyana Police Force

Embattled Assistant Police Commissioner Calvin Brutus, who had been performing the duties of Deputy Commissioner of Police – Administration, has been dismissed from the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Brutus was informed of his termination on Wednesday via a letter from the Police Service Commission (PSC), a copy of which was seen by Guyana Times. In that letter, the PSC Secretary explained that this decision was taken following the findings of a tribunal that was set up by the Commission to investigate allegations of misconduct and breaches of discipline against Brutus.
Disciplinary charges against this former senior police officer stem from violations he allegedly committed between August 2020 and July 2024, among which are improper financial instructions and falsification of records.
In light of these allegations, for which Brutus is currently facing criminal charges before the courts, the PSC had convened the tribunal under the authority of the Constitution of Guyana and the Police (Discipline) Act, Chapter 17:01, with Shoshanna Lall as the Chair and Keoma Griffith and Seelall Persaud as members.
Last month, the PSC reported that Brutus failed to show up at a January 22, 2025 tribunal hearing, noting that his absence was a significant hindrance to its operations.
In the dismissal letter of February 5, 2025, this embattled police officer was reminded that he had chosen not to appear at the hearing, in which two disciplinary charges were laid against him. Those charges were for (a): the improper use of Welfare Funds, whereby Brutus had allegedly directed that payment of $13.67 million be made from the Guyana Police Force’s Welfare Fund for goods procured by the Government; and (b): for falsifying the records thereof. In this second charge, he allegedly falsified the records for transactions done at the Quartermaster’s Stores to purport that $101.43 million worth of goods were delivered.
The Tribunal has since completed its work and submitted a report to the Commission, which considered the findings at its statutory meeting on Wednesday.
“After thoroughly reviewing the Report, the Commission has unanimously concluded that the inquiry established your culpability regarding the aforementioned two (2) charges against you,” the PSC letter to Brutus indicated.

It went on to state, “Acting therefore in accordance with the powers vested in it by the provisions of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Police (Discipline) Act Cap 17:07, in particular paragraph 1 (h) of the Schedule thereto, you are hereby notified that the Commission has determined that you should be, and are hereby, dismissed from the Guyana Police Force effective February 5, 2025.”
This dismissal letter to Brutus was carbon-copied to Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken with a request that the Police Commissioner take all such actions as are necessary to facilitate Brutus’s handing over and returning of all documents, equipment, and other assets belonging to the Guyana Police Force that are currently in his possession.
Brutus, 44, who had been employed for 25 years by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), was initially charged in October 2024 with 30 offences, including money laundering, obtaining money by false pretences, misconduct in public office, liability of officials, and larceny by a public official.
He was placed on bail totalling $6.2 million after his appearance in the court of a Georgetown magistrate; but in November 2024, Brutus faced an additional 201 charges relating to liability of an official, thereby bringing to 231 the total number of charges he faces.
The court has imposed an additional $10.05 million in bail, bringing the cumulative bail amount to $16.25 million.
These charges stem from an investigation done by the GPF’s white-collar arm, the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), into alleged financial crimes involving hundreds of millions of dollars linked to the Guyana Police Force. Brutus has denied all the allegations he faces.
However, in December 2024, the now former senior cop was accused of attempting to leave Guyana via Brazil, in violation of a court order prohibiting him from leaving the jurisdiction. His legal team has denied these allegations, asserting that he had no intention of fleeing, and was merely travelling for personal reasons.
In a related matter, Brutus has filed a $400 million lawsuit against SOCU and several senior members of the GPF, alleging misconduct and malfeasance in public office. This lawsuit, filed in November 2024, claims the charges against him are baseless and constitute an abuse of power.
This case against Brutus has garnered significant public attention because of the involvement of a high-ranking police official and the substantial sums of money involved.