With the Guyana Police Force facing serious allegations of political interference and corruption, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) said it would support the launch of a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the Police Force and all of its operations.

At a press conference on Monday, WPA co-leader, Dr David Hinds explained that the intention of a Police Force Commission of Inquiry would be to ascertain the facts while addressing major issues plaguing the Force.   

“We would support a commission of inquiry into the operations of the police force, and we would recommend that such an inquiry be conducted by a combination of Guyanese and regional experts,” Dr Hinds said.

Dr. Hinds said it is his party’s belief that political interference is fueling corruption within the Force. He believes it is time for the depoliticization of the Police Force 

“We think a lot of the problems in the police force begins there with the politicization of the police force and so, a top priority would be, the depoliticization of the police force. Another priority would be the wages of police men and women. Like all public servants we feel that they are not paid adequate wages and so, that in itself helps the corruption syndrome in the Force,” the WPA co-leader said. 

Weighing in on the issue, Executive Member of the WPA, Tacuma Ogunseye said the party would also recommend that the rules and regulations governing the Force be fully implemented.

Ogunseye is of the opinion that the Government of the day is not pushing for the full implementation of the rules and regulations governing the Police Force because it benefits corrupt practices. 

“In order to have the police be loyal to the government, they encourage the top of the police force, and the police force in general to engage in corruption and when these officers become corrupt, they recruit the corrupt officers, and the corrupt officers become the basis of their political control and institution. So, while we wait for the Commission, we will quickly move to tighten the system with all their laws and regulations that we have on the books and create a new atmosphere where those, who are accountable in the senior ranks, and they violate their responsibility, they will be punished,” Ogunseye said.

In recent months, a number of Police officers have found themselves facing serious allegations of corruption and other wrongdoings.

Just yesterday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus faced 201 additional charges filed against him on allegations of fraud and money laundering. In October, faced an initial 31 charges. 

The charges filed against him followed an investigation by the Special Organised Crime Unit.

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