Nothing wrong with SOCU only investigating alleged police force corruption -Private Sector Commission

Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 July 2024, 17:54 by Writer

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Tuesday said it had no problem with the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) investigating alleged corruption in that law enforcement agency, despite calls in other quarters for an independent probe.

“SOCU was designed, in 0ur view, to be that source to do police investigation and other investigation as it was earmarked to do,” PSC Chairman, Komal Singh told Demerara Waves Online News.

Asked whether the police force should investigate itself especially in light of grave concerns about procurement-related corruption, he said SOCU would be expected to conduct a “professional investigation; it’s an independent agency”. He said the police force has “many, many good officers with high integrity” and the few should not be used to damage the character of the entire law enforcement agency.

He said that SOCU was best placed to conduct the investigation and Guyanese should allow due process “without forming an opinion” and await the outcome to ascertain whether there was any effort to cover up the truth. “While it has some level of connection with the police force, it’s an investigation and those results of that investigation, when completed, obviously if the findings are one that point in the direction that they have compromised the investigation, then at that point in time, I think government, at that point in time, government will review, in our view, but at this point in time we see no reason why SOCU should not be the agency doing that investigation,” Mr Singh said. He could not immediately say wh0 should determine whether the investigation was compromised.

In its statement, the umbrella business organisation applauded government for promptly launching an investigation by SOCU into “allegations of corruption” within the GPF. Ahead of the outcome of the probe, the PSC praised the police force for its “continuous dedication and commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and professionalism.”

Mr Singh also dismissed suggestions that the PSC or himself was merely echoing government’s position that SOCU was the “right” agency to conduct the investigations. “I am not parroting any government position. I am very independent as the Chairman and the Private Sector (Commission) is a very independent organisation. You would see from time to time, we even oppose government’s position on some matters,” he said.

The PSC’s position is at odds with its affiliate, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), which recommended an independent probe into the allegations of corruption by including the Financial Intelligence Unit, Police Service Commission, civil society and other entities. But, Mr Singh insisted that “we think it was the right decision” for SOCU to probe alleged corruption.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo last week defended the GPF’s decision to ask SOCU to investigate alleged “financial improprieties” as a result of information on social media and established media houses. Mr Brutus had opted to remain silent when he was asked in person to respond to reports of the alleged deposit of GY$16.5 million into his Police Credit Union account. A day before Mr Brutus proceeded on annualised leave to facilitate the probe, Police Commissioner, Clifton Hicken had said there were no such deposits.

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn earlier this month said alleged procurement-related corruption in the police f0rce was a big problem, and that the Auditor General’s Office, Procurement Commission, Accountant General and Integrity Commission would have to “fall in line” and conduct investigations.