SOCU Head should be off-duty pending sexual assault probe – Home Affairs Minister

…expired PSC leaves decision in limbo

Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond has confirmed that a formal investigation is underway into the sexual assault allegations levied against Head of the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Fazil Karimbaksh.
The complaint came from a female officer attached to SOCU – the white-collar arm of the GPF.
According to Walrond, a special body has been set to probe the allegations against Karimbaksh, who is also a Deputy Commissioner of Police.
“I’m informed from the Commissioner [of Police, Clifton Hicken] that a team has been set up to deal with this investigation,” the Home Affairs Minister said while appearing on the Starting Point Podcast.

She added, “[The victim] has given a statement… The investigation entails getting statements from the other persons whom they think would be appropriate to get statements, and statements from the accused.”
The Minister further explained that as part of this process, there would also be a formal confrontation between the victim and the alleged accused.
“The confrontation that would be held [by] the team that has been assigned; after that confrontation, then the matter will be adjudicated. Whether it’s disciplinary action or criminal action, that would be for the criminal investigation department to determine, and this team that’s doing the investigation,” Walrond stated.
Meanwhile, since filing the complaint, the victim has been transferred, upon her request, to another division within the Force.
But while the SOCU Head remains on duty, the Home Affairs Minister believes that Karimbaksh should be sent off pending the outcome of the probe.
“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,” she noted.

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 is expected to engage Commissioner Hicken on the way forward.
“It’s a discussion we need to have, the Commissioner and myself, as to how we addressed that,” the Minister emphasised.
Walrond went on to further assure in a Facebook post on 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.”
Meanwhile, calls have been mounting over the past week for the SOCU Head to be removed pending the outcome of the investigation.