(Kaieteur News) – Former Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe, is demanding immediate action against Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh, who is facing allegations of rape and threatening behaviour by a female police inspector.
Slowe, in a strongly worded statement posted on his Facebook page, questioned what it would take for the government to act, noting that Karimbaksh should be sent on administrative leave while the allegations are investigated.
Former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Rtd. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe
The Guyana Police Force confirmed last Friday that it had received a report containing allegations of rape and threatening behaviour against a senior officer. Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken subsequently established a team to investigate the matter. Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond later confirmed that Karimbaksh, who heads the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), is the officer at the centre of the allegations.
The female inspector reportedly alleged that she was raped on two occasions and subjected to threats, including an allegation involving a firearm. She has since been transferred from SOCU at her own request.
Walrond has said publicly that, in her view, Karimbaksh should be placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. However, she noted that the PSC, which would ordinarily have a role in such matters, is not currently constituted and that she would discuss the issue with Commissioner Hicken.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh
Slowe, however, contends that the absence of a functioning PSC should not prevent the government from taking immediate administrative action.
He pointed to the 2013 allegations against then Police Commissioner Henry Greene, who was investigated by a team that included Jamaican detectives and subsequently resigned.
Slowe also recalled that Deputy Commissioner Paul Williams was sent on leave in August 2020, shortly after the PPP Government assumed office, despite, he said, there being no allegation against Williams.
“Karimbaksh is 54+ and is therefore due to retire from the force during the first half of 2027. I am sure that he has a lot of vacation leave,” Slowe said, arguing that the senior officer should be directed to proceed on leave as an initial step.
“There is no need for any commission to initiate or be involved in that process. That is for the Ministry of Home Affairs to execute,” he asserted.
Slowe also raised questions about previous serious allegations of misconduct against Karimbaksh and asked whether the SOCU chief’s position gives him access to sensitive information. Is it that Karimbaksh, being the head of SOCU has secrets for some people?” Slowe asked.
He ended his statement with a blunt demand: “KARIMBAKSH MUST GO!”
Source: Kaieteur News
