In a statement issued today, APNU said the allegations, which have been publicly reported since September 29, warrant immediate action from Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond and Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken.
The Inspector has reportedly alleged that Karimbaksh sexually assaulted her on more than one occasion, threatened her life and, during one alleged incident, pointed a firearm at her. She reportedly submitted a sworn statement outlining her allegations. Senior police officials have also confirmed to media that a complaint was received and that Karimbaksh would be questioned. The allegations have not been tested in court, and Karimbaksh remains entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence.
APNU, however, argues that due process should not mean that Karimbaksh continues exercising operational authority while the allegations are being investigated.
“A senior police officer who exercises substantial authority over investigators, subordinate ranks, sensitive information and law-enforcement resources should not remain in an operational command position while allegations of this gravity are being investigated.”
Karimbaksh is the head of the Special Organised Crime Unit, one of the Force’s key investigative arms. According to Demerara Waves, he remained on duty as of September 29, while the Police Force had not publicly announced that he had been placed on administrative leave. Two senior officers reportedly confirmed that a complaint had been received and that he would be questioned.
APNU is now demanding that the Minister and Commissioner act.
“APNU therefore calls on the Minister of Home Affairs and the Commissioner of Police to take every lawful step necessary to have Deputy Commissioner Karimbaksh placed immediately on administrative leave pending the completion of a full, impartial and independent investigation.”
The partnership said administrative leave would not amount to a finding of guilt, but would protect the integrity of the investigation by reducing the possibility of interference, protecting potential witnesses and preserving evidence.
The allegations have also raised questions because they follow earlier complaints involving Karimbaksh.
In 2021, former Police Service Commission member Clinton Conway publicly said that an investigation had been conducted into sexual-harassment complaints by female police recruits and had resulted in a recommendation for disciplinary charges. Karimbaksh denied the earlier allegations, describing them as “trumped up.” Those previous allegations are separate from the current complaint and do not establish that the latest allegations are true.
The issue comes against a broader backdrop of official concern over sexual misconduct within the Police Force. In November 2025, Home Affairs Minister Walrond publicly reaffirmed a zero-tolerance approach to sexual misconduct and said officers implicated in allegations at the Police Training College had been removed from duty pending disciplinary proceedings.
“The matter is before the Office of Professional Responsibility, and they were removed immediately after the report came to our attention,” Walrond said at the time.
APNU is therefore questioning why a similar precaution has not been publicly announced in relation to the latest allegations involving a senior police commander.
The party also raised concern over reports that the Inspector was transferred after lodging her complaint.
“What was the motivation for that transfer? Was it punishment or to silence?”
The circumstances surrounding the transfer have not been independently established, and no official explanation for it was included in the material reviewed for this report.
APNU is calling for safeguards to protect the complainant from intimidation, retaliation or occupational disadvantage, while urging authorities to secure relevant records, communications and other potential evidence.
It also wants investigators assigned to the matter to be institutionally independent of Karimbaksh.
The party stressed that the investigation must produce evidence-based conclusions, regardless of the outcome.
“If the evidence establishes criminal conduct or breaches of police discipline, the appropriate charges, disciplinary measures and other consequences provided for under the laws of Guyana must be applied without fear, favour or regard to rank.”
The Guyana Police Force has so far faced public questions over its handling of the allegations. News Source Guyana reported on September 30 that senior officers had confirmed an official report but that the Force had not publicly responded to repeated media inquiries.
For APNU, the controversy ultimately comes down to whether senior police officers are subject to the same standards of accountability as everyone else.
“No police rank is too senior for investigation. No office is too powerful to be held accountable.”
