Guyana Police Force Launches Probe Into Allegations of Payment to Facilitate Movement of Foreigners

GEORGTOWN, Guyana – The Guyana Police Force (GPF) says it has directed the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) to immediately launch an investigation into allegations that police and immigration officials were accepting payments ”to to facilitate the movement of foreign nationals”.

Police Commissioner Dr. Clifton HickenThe GPF in a statement said that it had taken note of a publication circulating on social media containing the allegations and given the serious nature of the claims Commissioner Dr. Clifton Hicken has directed the OPR to immediately launch “an investigation to determine the circumstances and veracity of the claims made in the publication”.

The statement quoted Commissioner Hicken as making it “clear that corruption and misconduct have no place”  in the GPF and that no officer “will be shielded where evidence establishes wrongdoing”.

He said that any member of the GPF found to have acted unlawfully or in breach of established regulations “will be dealt with condignly in accordance with the law and established disciplinary procedures.

“The Guyana Police Force encourages any person who may be in possession of information or evidence relevant to these allegations to make same available to the Office of Professional Responsibility to assist with the investigation,” the statement said.

“The GPF remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, accountability and integrity among its ranks,” it added.