No internal pressure to alter course of corruption probe against Brutus – VP Jagdeo

– criticises vilification of policemen for political gains

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has reaffirmed the Government’s confidence in the ability of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to investigate allegations of financial irregularity levelled against Deputy Commissioner of Police (ag) Calvin Brutus, reassuring that there will be no pressure in changing the course of the probe.

He made these remarks at a press conference held at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Freedom House Headquarters on Thursday, where he spoke about efforts by his government to build the capacity of local institutions to professionally handle matters such as these.
“There are allegations of corruption against Brutus. He is on leave and SOCU has been ordered to do the investigation… And I can say to you that at SOCU, there’d be no pressure by anyone in the Police Force because the President [Dr Irfaan Ali] himself is looking into this matter and all these matters. There’d be no pressure by anyone, internally, to alter the course of this investigation or any other investigations of malpractices anywhere in the country or the Police Force,” Jagdeo stated.
After Top Cop, Clifton Hicken, initially denied last week that there was any investigation being carried out against Brutus, the Guyana Police Force disclosed the following day that Brutus has requested to go on leave to facilitate the probe.
It is alleged that Brutus reportedly deposited $15 million into his account at the Police Credit Union on December 15, 2023. The money was allegedly returned to him the following day and the source of funds was given as contributions from before, during, and after his wedding.
Last Friday, Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, expressed concerns about the development, telling reporters that the SOCU – the arm of the GPF that deals with white-collar crime – will conduct a “full and complete” investigation. He added that the outcome of that probe will guide the way forward.
Meanwhile, these allegations against Brutus come on the heels of the Police Force, earlier this month, announcing a shake-up of some senior officers – a move that saw Brutus being removed as Deputy Commissioner Administration and put as Head of the Special Branch.
At the time, Commissioner Hicken had explained that the rotation of senior officers is a management tool that is used to create and foster efficiency in an organisation.
Nevertheless, VP Jagdeo’s statement on Thursday about the Government’s confidence in SOCU comes on the heel of Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, calling for an external agency to investigate this corruption allegation against Brutus.
However, Jagdeo called out Norton over the duplicity being shown in this Brutus matter when similar allegations surfaced against senior police officers under the PNC-led APNU/AFC regime, and the probes were done internally by the GPF.
Moreover, the Vice President lamented against vilifying police officers, especially for political gains.
“We don’t want to vilify policemen too because somehow people believe it’s an open season on policemen. A lot of them do a great job and they are hard-working people serving this country. And we must not, for politics or ratings or to get a good newspaper article, vilify people in the police force, and sometimes that is what is seen… You can openly discuss these things without vilifying all the policemen who are there, saying they are all engaged in… corruption,” Jagdeo asserted.
In light of the allegation of financial impropriety against the senior cop, Minister Benn on Tuesday called for comprehensive reforms to combat corruption in the Police Force.
Addressing attendees at the Force’s 185th Anniversary Symposium, the Home Affairs Minister stressed the need for improved and honest practices to ensure financial integrity with the GPF.
“We want new, accountable policing. We want new and improved and honest work done. We want to see that the paper trail is not fraudulent… If monies go to places where they should not go, it means there is massive collusion and corruption… There will be and they’ve started reviews and investigations and audits in relation to the Guyana Police Force and also in relation to the other two agencies [Guyana Fire Service and Guyana Prisons Service].” (G-8)