Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond says she believes Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh should be placed on administrative leave while allegations of rape and threatening behaviour against him are investigated.
Karimbaksh, who heads the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), is the subject of an ongoing police investigation. The allegations have raised questions about whether he should remain in his senior position while the investigation is underway.
Walrond addressed the issue during a preview of the Starting Point podcast, scheduled to air on Sunday, and said she intends to meet with Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken to determine how the matter should be handled.
“It is my view, and I hold this strong view, that he should be sent on administrative leave pending the investigation,” Walrond said.
The minister explained that, under normal circumstances, the Police Service Commission (PSC) would have a role in determining such a measure. However, the PSC is currently not constituted, leaving questions about the appropriate mechanism for dealing with the senior officer.
“The Police Service Commission (PSC) ultimately should be the one to do that. Barring the fact that it’s not currently constituted, I would assume that it’s a discussion we need to have between the commissioner and myself on how we address that,” she said.
Walrond said Commissioner Hicken has informed her that a team has already been established to investigate the allegations.
According to the minister, investigators are expected to obtain statements from people relevant to the matter, including Karimbaksh. The investigation is also expected to include a formal confrontation between the parties involved.
She said that once the investigative process is completed, the matter would be dealt with through the appropriate disciplinary or criminal process, depending on the findings.
The allegations against Karimbaksh come as SOCU continues to occupy a prominent role in Guyana’s law-enforcement system, particularly in investigations involving financial crimes, corruption and money laundering.
The decision on whether Karimbaksh should be removed temporarily from his duties therefore carries implications beyond the allegations themselves, particularly given his position as head of a specialised law-enforcement unit.
Walrond’s proposed meeting with Hicken is expected to focus on the legal and administrative options available in the absence of a functioning PSC and whether administrative leave can be imposed pending the outcome of the investigation.
No finding of guilt has been made against Karimbaksh, and the allegations remain subject to investigation and due process.
