Dear Editor,
I have not been a writer to your letter columns but with the sordid allegations of financial impropriety allegedly involving Officers at the level of Assistant Commissioner in the Guyana Police Force coupled with what appears to me to be a blatant attempt to shield an Assistant Commissioner, I am urged to make a few comments on the releases from the Police Force.
Last week, we were told through social media and regular media houses that following these allegations, the top level of the Force would be rotated. The name of Assistant Commissioner Brutus was mentioned to be removed from “Administration” and to take command of the Special Branch (note: he is not an acting Deputy Commissioner. The Police Service Commission never appointed him). Two other changes were announced. I made a comment in Facebook that rotation of ranks was intended to expose those in junior positions who need exposure and training as they rise in the organization and that Officer’s rightful position was to be sent home, with or without payment, pending the outcome of the criminal investigation and any subsequent course of action. Special Branch is not a dumping ground and is too sensitive an area to place an Officer facing a serious criminal investigation.
This week, we are learning that the suspected Assistant Commissioner was requesting permission to proceed on Annualised Vacation Leave or AVL (as we called it) with immediate effect “to facilitate an investigation”. My understanding is that the requisite permission was granted by the Commissioner through the prescribed procedure.
I was left to wonder whether the Public Service Commission (PSM) and the Police Service Commission were approached because AL would have been granted by PSM provided that the member of the Force had no disciplinary or other matter pending. Approval for AVL by PSM through the Ministry of Home Affairs for Officers, Inspectors and Other Ranks always stated that prohibition. The investigation surrounding the Assistant Commissioner would fall under ‘or other matter pending’. Therefore, the correct procedure would have been to relieve the Officer of his responsibilities and send him home on leave. AVL is not available to him. How long would the investigation last, and what happens if the Officer’s leave expires before the conclusion of the investigation, would he be allowed to resume duty? He might have accumulated leave for a very long period but that is another issue which PSM would have to address.
It becomes obvious that the administration of the Guyana Police Force seems to be employing two different standards. Deputy Commissioner Paul Williams was sent off the job shortly after the new administration took office. No reason has been given neither are we aware of any infraction committed by him. In the case of Assistant Commissioner Calvin Brutus, for months now, there were members of the Force leaking information about his alleged mismanagement of the Police Welfare Fund and the Police Credit Union, both previously and carefully managed by successive Commissioners of Police to ensure that the welfare of Other Ranks (ORs) could be addressed through loans from either facility. The Police administration seemed to be both deaf and blind to what was taking place under their nostrils. Today, following public exposure, Brutus is allowed to apply for AVL while under investigation for alleged financial impropriety. I trust that better judgment prevails and that the proper agencies be consulted in order to effectively manage the Brutus case.
The question I must now ask is what is the reason for this apparent ‘soft peddling’ by the Force Administration with this Brutus case. He should have been sent off the job since the Force made its first press release instead of giving him the option to apply for AVL. Is Brutus alone in this allegation of money laundering or is he holding secrets for ‘higher ups’? Only time will tell but my major concern is the preservation of the integrity of both the Police Welfare Fund and the Credit Union to enable ORs to access loans at reasonable interest rates. We anxiously await the outcome of the investigation.
Winston Felix,
Retired Commissioner of Police (13th July 2024)