SOCU Chief sent on leave pending probe into rape, threat allegations

Head of the Guyana Police Force’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Deputy Commissioner of Police Fizal Karimbaksh, has been sent on leave pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of rape and threatening behaviour levelled against him by a female rank.
This was confirmed by the Police Force in a statement on Thursday. SOCU is the white-collar investigative arm of the GPF.
According to the missive, after the report was filed against Karimbaksh, Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken established a team to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations.
In addition, the female Police Officer who made the complaint has since been transferred from the SOCU office to another division within the Force.
“The Guyana Police Force wishes to assure the public that the allegations are being treated with the seriousness they warrant and that the investigation will be conducted professionally, impartially and in accordance with established procedures,” the statement detailed.
It went on to add that the Force remains committed to ensuring that due process is afforded to all parties involved as the investigations continue.
Over the past few weeks, there has been mounting pressure from the political Opposition and women’s rights groups for the SOCU Head to be sent on leave pending the probe.
In fact, just last week, Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond said she too believes that the senior officer should not remain on active duty while the investigation is ongoing.

“The fact is that Mr Karimbaksh is at the helm of the Police Force. He’s a deputy commissioner. So, there is a particular procedure that has to be followed… It is my view, and I hold this strong view, that he should be sent on administrative leave pending the investigation,” Walrond had stated during the Starting Point podcast.
Based on established protocols, the Police Service Commission (PSC) is responsible for disciplinary actions against senior officers, including placing them on administrative leave.
However, the Commission has not been reconstituted since it expired in July this year.
In the absence of a functioning PSC, however, Minister Walrond had indicated that she would be engaging Commissioner Hicken to determine the way forward on the matter.
Meanwhile, Walrond had gone on to further assure in a subsequent Facebook post last Friday that these serious allegations will be properly investigated.
“The allegations are serious and will be treated as such. The law will not be ignored, nor will due process be bypassed,” the minister stated, adding that the matter will not be investigated or tried in the court of public opinion.
“I have confidence in the competence and professionalism of the investigative team. They must be allowed to do their work independently and thoroughly, without public interference or prejudgment. Let the evidence guide the process. Let the law take its course.”