Journalist Leroy Smith yesterday picketed outside the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) headquarters on Camp Street, calling for Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh to step aside while a rape allegation against him is investigated.

Smith, who previously raised the allegation on his media platform, said he took his protest to the SOCU headquarters because he believes the Guyana Police Force must act.

He pointed to previous cases involving senior police officers,  arguing that officers had previously been removed from duty over allegations he described as being of a lesser nature.

Smith said the absence of a Police Service Commission should not prevent Karimbaksh from being removed from operational duties.

“There is nothing lawfully that is stopping Karimbaksh from proceeding on leave to facilitate this investigation in a fair manner and in an environment free from fear also and intimidation,” he said.

Smith also argued that the Commissioner of Police, Minister of Home Affairs and President all have roles that could facilitate Karimbaksh stepping aside.

He said Karimbaksh’s continued presence in a senior position was damaging the morale of junior ranks and sending the wrong message within the force.

“The longer Karimbaksh stays in his position, the more damage it has been creating for the force,” Smith said.

Smith rejected suggestions that his protest was motivated by a personal legal dispute between himself and Karimbaksh.

He acknowledged that he has an ongoing court matter involving Karimbaksh but said the protest was about accountability.

“This has nothing to do with whatever’s going on between myself and Karimbaksh in the court. This has to do with principle and it has to be with morale and it has to be with holding people accountable,” Smith said.

The protest comes after Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond publicly confirmed that a rape complaint had been made against Karimbaksh and said an investigative team had been established.

Walrond also said she believed Karimbaksh should be placed on administrative leave pending the investigation, while acknowledging that the Police Service Commission, which is yet to be constituted, would ordinarily have a role in the matter.