Deputy Commissioner of Police Fizal Karimbaksh, who heads the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), has been sent on leave pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of rape and threatening behaviour, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) announced on Thursday.
The announcement follows public scrutiny of the Force’s handling of the allegations, including criticism from the Women and Gender Equality Commission over Karimbaksh remaining on duty while the matter was under investigation.
In its latest statement, the GPF also confirmed that the female Police Inspector who made the report has been transferred from SOCU to Regional Police Division Four ‘A’.
Commissioner of Police Dr. Clifton Hicken established a team to investigate the allegations after receiving the report, according to 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 said.
The Force added that due process would be afforded to everyone involved and that further information would be provided as necessary.
Police had first publicly confirmed the investigation in a statement on Friday, October 2. That statement referred to allegations of rape and threatening behaviour against an unnamed senior officer, but did not announce any decision to place him on leave.
Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond had also addressed the matter during an appearance on the Starting Point podcast, expressing support for the officer being placed on administrative leave while the investigation proceeded.
Walrond said the complainant had been transferred at her own request.
The handling of the case subsequently drew criticism from the Women and Gender Equality Commission, which questioned whether appropriate action had been taken and described the police leadership’s response as a “deafening silence”.
