Opposition Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan has called for urgent clarification from law enforcement authorities following reports that a senior police officer intervened to halt a routine traffic stop, raising concerns about accountability and the equal application of the law.
In a public statement, Duncan said the alleged involvement of Deputy Commissioner of Police and Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Fizal Karimbaksh, in directing ranks to release a motorist has serious implications for discipline within the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
“The reported alleged intervention by Deputy Commissioner of Police and SOCU Head, Fizal Karimbaksh, in a routine anti-crime stop raises serious questions about consistency, command discipline, and the application of the law,” Duncan said.
The incident reportedly involved police ranks conducting a lawful roadside stop after observing visible traffic violations, including heavily tinted windows and an obscured registration plate—both offences under Guyana’s traffic laws. According to Duncan, the situation escalated when the ranks were instructed to release the driver following a phone call from the senior officer.
“Ranks conducting a lawful stop, based on visible infractions including tinted windows and an obscured registration plate, were reportedly instructed to release the individual after a phone call from the senior officer,” he stated.
Duncan said the matter was further compounded by reports that the driver was unable to produce a valid driver’s licence and was identified as being affiliated with SOCU.
“Compounding the concern is the reported inability of the driver to produce a valid driver’s licence, alongside her identification as a SOCU-affiliated officer. These are not minor procedural issues; they go directly to the principle of equal application of the law,” he said.
The Special Organised Crime Unit, which operates under the Guyana Police Force, was established to investigate complex financial crimes, money laundering, and organised criminal activity. In recent years, SOCU has played a prominent role in high-profile investigations, making the integrity of its leadership a matter of public interest.
Duncan warned that the alleged intervention risks undermining frontline policing and eroding public trust in law enforcement, particularly at a time when the GPF faces increasing scrutiny over its operations and accountability.
“At a time when the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is under heightened scrutiny, any action that appears to override standard operating procedures risks undermining both public confidence and frontline enforcement efforts,” he said.
He argued that the incident points to a possible breakdown in operational discipline within the Force.
“From an institutional standpoint, this incident highlights a potential breakdown in operational integrity. The law empowers ranks to act on reasonable suspicion and visible violations. When those actions are interrupted without transparent justification, it sends a conflicting signal within the Force, one that may discourage diligence and weaken the chain of accountability,” Duncan added.
The opposition MP further raised concerns about whether internal hierarchies are being used to bypass enforcement rather than uphold it.
“It also raises legitimate questions about whether internal hierarchies are being used to circumvent enforcement, rather than uphold it.”
Duncan is now calling for a full explanation from both the police leadership and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“This matter requires urgent clarification from the leadership of the GPF and the Ministry of Home Affairs. A clear account of the facts, the legal basis for the intervention, and any subsequent internal review must be provided,” he said.
He stressed that the issue goes beyond a single incident and speaks to broader concerns about governance and accountability in law enforcement.
“At its core, this is not simply about one incident; it is about preserving the credibility of law enforcement, ensuring value for public expenditure on security, and reinforcing the principle that no individual or unit operates above the law.”
Up to press time, neither the Guyana Police Force nor the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued a public response to the allegations.
