The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) says it has grown increasingly concerned over recent revelations of a high level of corruption and financial impropriety within the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The private sector body is calling for an immediate independent probe, warning that inaction could lead to a propping up of lawlessness.
The GCCI’s statement comes days after the GPF sent the Head of the Special Branch and acting Deputy Commissioner, Calvin Brutus, on leave to allow for an investigation into alleged financial impropriety.
The Guyana Government has promised an independent probe although the investigating body, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) is an offshoot of the police force. The GCCI was quick to point this out, as it dismissed the unit as the appropriate entity to conduct an independent investigation effectively.
This concern arises despite Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo’s assurance of no internal influence, stating that President Dr Irfaan Ali is “personally looking into the matter.” However, the VP did not clarify what “looking into the matter” entails or how the President is insulated from influencing the probe into the Guyana Police Force, which is supposed to be an independent body.
“There will be no pressure by anyone in the Police Force because the President himself is looking into this matter and all these matters. There will be no pressure by anyone internally to alter the course of this investigation or any other investigation of malpractice anywhere in the country or in the police force,” Vice President Jagdeo said during a recent press conference.
GCCI, however, is of the opinion that SOCU is not suited for such an investigation.
“[A]n independent probe is needed in the interest of objectivity and transparency, as the Special Organised Crime Unit, which has been tasked with investigating these issues, is an arm of the GPF. These circumstances are abhorrent and untenable; therefore, the Chamber calls for it to be dealt with swiftly, and for those found culpable to face the brunt of the law,” the business bloc said.
Furthermore, it blistered the GPF for succumbing to these allegations.
“It is repugnant that the very individuals who have been empowered to maintain law and order in the country are engaging in malpractices, which brings to fore questions of the GPF’s credibility and objectivity.
If the agents of the state who are responsible for maintaining stability and lawfulness are engaged in malfeasance, then they can no longer be trusted to uphold the standards that they ought to be enforcing,” the body said.
The GCCI emphasised that the GPF must not operate with impunity. In fact, it stressed that the members of the Force must be held at a higher degree of accountability.
“Failure to act can be viewed as assenting to corruption, and this can lead to a descent into lawlessness,” the GCCI warned.
