Breaking its silence, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) last evening confirmed that an internal investigation is presently ongoing into bombshell corruption allegations against ranks in ‘B’ Division (Berbice) as well as a senior officer.
GPF Public Relations Officer Jairam Ramlakhan, in a brief press statement yesterday, stated, “The Guyana Police Force has noted recently articles in the print and electronic media of alleged corruption by members of the force with particular reference to ranks from its Berbice Division claiming that no action is being taken by the force’s administration. The Guyana Police Force wishes to state that contrary to what is being reported this matter is currently being investigated by its internal investigative organ the Office of Professional Responsibility.”
The statement is the first acknowledgement of the allegations by the GPF but came in wake of reports in Stabroek News and other sections of the media already reporting on the internal investigation that had been launched by the Office of Professional Responsibility.
Both police who have spoken out as well as concerned citizens and other stakeholders have called for an independent investigation of the allegations as a very senior member of the GPF leadership has been implicated in a corruption network in Berbice. Ranks, who say they have spoken to the media after their reports of his activities fell on deaf ears within the division, have also identified several junior ranks who have reportedly aided the senior rank in his wrongdoings, which are said to include offering protection from prosecution to persons accused of crimes.
In Stabroek News’ first report, a group of junior ranks spoke out about a Lance Corporal and other ranks who were alleged to have been linked to a murder accused who was recently killed during a shootout with police in Black Bush Polder, Berbice. It was alleged that their numbers were found stored and in the call log of the mobile phone of the dead man. The senior officer was accused of protecting those ranks linked to the dead man as they purportedly aid him in his activities in the division. He is accused of accepting bribes to sink criminal matters for friends and persons known to him.
The senior rank in question has also allegedly accused two detective constables in ‘B’ Division of being sources behind news reports, which has resulted in them being transferred.
