The Guyana Police Force has announced that Deputy Commissioner of Police and Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit, Fizal Karimbaksh has been sent on leave pending the outcome of the investigation into the allegations of rape and threatening behaviour made against him by a female Inspector of Police.

In a statement this afternoon, the Guyana Police Force also confirmed that the female officer has since been transferred from the Special Organised Crime Unit to Regional Division 4A.

The Minister of Home Affairs in a statement last Friday had indicated that the officer had made the request to be transferred after filing the report against the Deputy Commissioner.

The Guyana Police Force this afternoon said following receipt of the report, Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, established a team to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations.

The Police Force also said it would like 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 Force said it remains committed to ensuring that due process is afforded to all parties involved.

Investigations are ongoing and further information will be provided as necessary. The announcement by the Police Force came minutes after Mr. Karimbaksh denied that he had received any letter sending him on leave when contacted by News Source.

He has remained quiet on the allegations leveled against him. News Source understands that the investigative team has already moved to acquire a statement from the Deputy Commissioner, but he reportedly indicated to them that the statement will be sent through his Attorneys.

The allegations by the female Police Inspector first surfaced last week after an official report was made to the Police. In the report, the woman claimed that she was sexually assaulted and raped by the Deputy Commissioner on two separate occasions, including an occasion at the Police Headquarters. She also claimed that she was threatened by him and had a gun pointed at her.

The Police Force has initially taken a silent approach as questions were raised about the allegations, but the silence was broken last Friday just after the Home Affairs Minister confirmed that a report had been made by the female Police Officer against the Deputy Commissioner of Police.

This is not the first time that sexual assault allegations have been leveled against Mr. Karimbaksh. He had dismissed previous allegations against him.

Five years ago, the then Police Service Commission had moved to block his promotion from Senior Superintendent over similar allegations, but he moved to the Court over that action and was eventually promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police under a new Police Service Commission. He was later appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Police by President Irfaan Ali.

Over the past week, the political opposition and a number of women’s rights organisations have been calling for a thorough probe of the allegations against Karimbaksh and for him to be sent on administrative leave.

While he has now been sent on leave, that leave is not administrative.

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