(Kaieteur News) – The Forward Guyana movement has issued a strong call on the authorities to ensure that a criminal investigation involving Deputy Commissioner of Police Fizal Karimbaksh proceeds without delay, rejecting arguments that the absence of a constituted Police Service Commission (PSC) stalls legal action.
In a public statement issued Friday, the movement addressed growing concerns over whether high-ranking law enforcement officers can face criminal accountability during administrative voids.
Leader of Forward Guyana Movement, Amanza Walton
“Are we then to accept that a Deputy Commissioner of Police is above the law because the Government has failed to constitute the Police Service Commission? Certainly not,” Forward Guyana declared. “The absence of the Commission suspends disciplinary proceedings against officers of his rank. It does not suspend the criminal law. The criminal investigation must continue without delay.”
To highlight its point, Forward Guyana highlighted the speed with which state authorities have acted in other recent high-profile cases, specifically pointing to the maritime tragedy involving the MV Barima.
Deputy Police Commissioner, Fizal Karimbaksh
“The State has already shown how quickly it can act when it chooses to,” the group noted. “The MV Barima sank on 18th July. Within ten days, the Guyana Police Force had obtained the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions and charged three crew members with murder. Whatever view one takes of those charges, the Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions demonstrated that a file can be investigated and reviewed in a matter of days.”
Forward Guyana argued that the same level of speed and diligence applied to the Transport and Harbours Department employees must apply across all levels of public office. “Three employees of the Transport and Harbours Department were charged within ten days. The State owes a Deputy Commissioner of Police no greater patience,” the group asserted, insisting that upon completion, the full investigative file must be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) pursuant to Article 187 of the Constitution.
Addressing the operational leadership of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Forward Guyana emphasised that administrative measures remain within the immediate authority of top police management.
“The Commissioner of Police commands the Force and assigns its officers. He can relieve Mr. Karimbaksh of command of SOCU, the unit in which the complainant served, without altering his rank or office and without any Commission,” statement urged. “That would be an operational decision, not a disciplinary one, and the Commissioner should make it today.”
Concluding its statement, Forward Guyana stressed the balance between fundamental rights and the rule of law. “Mr. Karimbaksh is entitled to the presumption of innocence. The complainant is entitled to the protection of the law. This Government has yet to show that it understands the second.”
Source: Kaieteur News
