Opposition Member of Parliament and former Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan has issued a call for the top brass of the Guyana Police Force, including acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, to appear before the Parliamentary Security Committee to face questions on the operations of the Guyana Police Force amid several allegations of corruption that have rocked the Force recently.

Some of those allegations have been leveled against the Police by senior officials of the current Government.

During an AFC press conference today, Mr. Ramjattan said the nation wants answers about the state of the investigations into the allegations of money laundering and corruption which have been leveled against senior officers.

The AFC had suggested an independent probe of the allegations, but that was shot down by Government.

Today Mr. Ramjattan said there appears to be a cover up of the allegations.

“It seems like a massive coverup is being undertaken. Additionally, the AFC demands that the PPP put pressure on the Home Affairs Minister to convene meetings of the Parliamentary oversight committee on Public Security and to have as its first order of business the summoning of the Commissioner of Police and the allege officer involved in this alleged fraudulent scheme,’ Mr. Ramjattan said.

He said the Parliamentary Committee on Security can look into the operations of the Force and seek information from the top officials of the Force.

“Understanding Order 87 which was created as a result of constitutional amendment, this parliamentary security committee has power to scrutinize and examine policies and administration of the entities int he disciplines forces. So as Parliamentarians in that committee we can call for books, summon witnesses and do a variety of things in relation to how the police force is being administered,” Ramjattan said. 

Mr. Ramjattan believes that if the Officers are hauled before the Committee, then Guyanese will have full confidence of any investigation, since the Committee also has the power to get outside assistance to help it with its investigation.

“And we can also get assistance and coop experts and aid from other persons with the appropriate expertise to help us in that regard. So, if they do not want have a probe by forensically, international reputable people, we in that Parliamentary committee would like to have some questions asked after the Commissioner and the other senior officer whohas gone on leave, I understand to come there in that Committee for question,” he said.

The Guyana Police Force has been tightlipped on its investigations into the claims of corruption against senior officers.

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