Corruption probe
The fate of Deputy Police Commissioner and Crime Chief Lyndon Alves, who was sent on administrative leave after damning allegations of corruption by several whistleblowers within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were made public, will soon be determined.
This is according to Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who told Guyana Times on Thursday that the probe into Alves’ alleged misconduct as a serving senior member of the GPF has been completed and that his file has been sent for further advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) on the way forward.
“Well, we are awaiting certain legal advice. Most of the statements have been completed already. So we are waiting on the legal advice,” the minister.
Less than three weeks ago, Alves was sent on administrative leave to facilitate an investigation into allegations of corruption levelled against him.
Shortly after, Minister Ramjattan had told the media that President David Granger appointed the Crime Chief, Lyndon Alves, therefore, the President would have to determine the fate of Alves after investigations are completed.
“If he is cleared, he will come back, if he is not well fine. The President, having appointed him, will make certain decisions,” the Minister said at that time, despite the fact that the law states the Police Service Commission deals with disciplinary issues within the GPF.
Given that the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is conducting the investigation, meaning the Police is investigating itself – which in itself has raised a number of questions – Ramjattan had also said that it is important for such cases to be investigated by the OPR to build confidence. He added that hundreds of cases have been investigated by the OPR before which have all been respected as they were even subject to further analysis. In fact, cases are even sent for legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Prior to his suspension of duties at the GPF, for a number of weeks, ranks in Berbice blew the whistle on alleged corruption by the Crime Chief and claimed that he was shielding a few junior rogue ranks who have been linked to criminals.
