Investigation launched into sexual harassment of female recruits at Police Academy
The Guyana Police Force Academy
Female recruits of the Guyana Police Force Academy have raised concerns of sexual harassment and misconduct by male superiors at the academy, where they are currently training.
BIG Smith News Watch has been informed that, in some cases, there is a claim that at least one senior officer who was removed from the confines of the academy was facilitating and arranging young female recruits for a Deputy Commissioner of Police who has a history of predatory behavior towards young female police ranks within the Guyana Police Force.
The Guyana Police Force Office of Professional Responsibility is already engaged in the matter. This publication confirmed that text evidence is available to support the claims of the young recruits.
According to information reaching this publication, instances have been reported where at least one male commandant of the academy would call parades in the wee hours of the morning between 01:30 and 03:00 hours. Once called, the females are then subjected to examination of their physical, structural, and shapely appearance by the senior male officers.
BIG Smith News Watch was told of instances where a Deputy Commissioner of Police would, from time to time, fall in during late-night classes at the Academy, much to the discomfort of the young female recruits.
In fact, the force administration was forced to remove from the academy, a male officer who was reportedly subtly facilitating the preying on young female recruits by a Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Instances where taxis and private cars were being sent to the academy late at night to pick up female recruits were also brought to the attention of the force administration, and the practice was stopped.
For years, there have been reported cases of sexual misconduct being committed against female recruits of the Guyana Police Force by senior officers.
In one instance, a report was submitted against now Deputy Commissioner Fizal Karimbaksh, who was accused of sexual harassment, by two young female police officers. Enough evidence was acquired that could have seen Kairmbaksh criminally charged but he managed to escape that fate.
“While from the information presented there is enough prima facie evidence to support a criminal charge of sexual harassment in accordance with section 8 of the Prevention of Discrimination Act Chapter 99:08 against Senior Superintendent Karimbaksh, it is recommended based on the circumstances the sensitive nature of this matter that Senior Superintendent Karimbaksh be charged under section 4(d) (vii) of the police (discipline) act Chapter 17:01 for acting in a manner likely to bring discredit to the reputation of the force” a report on March 03, 2020 stated.
