APNU Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan is calling for Deputy Commissioner of Police and Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Fizal Karimbaksh, to be placed on administrative leave amid serious allegations made against him by a serving female Police Inspector.
At APNU’s press conference today, Duncan stressed that the allegations have not been determined by a court and that Karimbaksh is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence. However, he argued that the seriousness of the complaint demands action while the matter is investigated.
“While Mr. Karimbash is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence, it cannot be business as usual,” the MP said.
Duncan called on the Guyana Police Force and Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond to take appropriate action to address the matter.
According to Duncan, placing the senior officer on administrative leave would help protect the integrity of the investigation, safeguard the complainant and potential witnesses, preserve evidence and maintain public confidence in the Guyana Police Force.
He also called for the complainant to be protected against intimidation, retaliation or occupational disadvantage and for relevant records, communications and potential evidence to be secured.
“The investigation must follow the evidence wherever it leads, and if criminal conduct or breaches of police discipline occurred, the proper charges, disciplinary measures, and other consequences provided for under the laws of Guyana must be taken without fear, favour, or regard to rank.”
Duncan said the credibility of the Guyana Police Force depends on demonstrating that accountability applies equally to senior officers, junior ranks and ordinary citizens.
“No police rank is too senior to be accountable. Every officer must be accountable, and senior ranks must not misuse their authority and run roughshod over junior ranks.”
The Guyana Police Force has remained silent on the matter despite several questions posed to the communications arm of the force in the past week.
