“Rank cannot be a shield, position cannot be protection”

September 29 2026

Opposition Member of Parliament Toshana Famey-Corlette is calling for Deputy Commissioner of Police Fizal Karimbaksh to be removed from operational command while a series of allegations and disciplinary concerns involving the senior officer are independently investigated.

Famey-Corlette said the issue goes beyond a single allegation, pointing to complaints and allegations involving Karimbaksh dating back several years.

In 2018, the Guyana Police Force confirmed that its Office of Professional Responsibility was investigating an allegation of police harassment involving Karimbaksh during his tenure in ‘D’ Division. (Stabroek News)

In 2021, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Clinton Conway publicly discussed allegations involving Karimbaksh, stating that female police recruits had made sexual-harassment complaints against him. Conway also alleged that 11 female trainees had previously made similar complaints while Karimbaksh was Force Training Officer. Karimbaksh denied the accusations at the time, describing them as “trumped up.” (Stabroek News)

Famey-Corlette has now raised a further allegation involving a serving female Police Inspector, who she said has accused Karimbaksh of repeated sexual assault, threats to kill her and an incident involving a firearm.

According to the MP, the inspector alleges that the incidents occurred in 2019, 2023 and 2024 and that she reported the matter to the Minister of Home Affairs on September 20, 2026.

The allegations have not been proven.

Famey-Corlette is urging the Minister of Home Affairs to take action, arguing that Karimbaksh should be removed from operational duties while the allegations are subjected to an independent investigation.

She pointed to previous comments by the Home Affairs Minister that allegations of sexual misconduct involving senior officers and female ranks must be taken seriously and that accountability should apply regardless of rank or position.

The MP also raised concerns about a separate 2026 incident in which Karimbaksh was accused of intervening in an anti-crime operation involving junior police ranks.

The Office of Professional Responsibility was tasked with investigating that incident after a video surfaced showing a woman who had been stopped by police contacting Karimbaksh. Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken subsequently said senior officers may intervene in operations, but such interventions must follow established procedures and standard operating protocols. (newsroom.gy)

Famey-Corlette said the various allegations and investigations raise questions about whether Karimbaksh should continue to exercise operational authority while serious complaints remain under scrutiny.

“Rank cannot be a shield,” she said.

“Position cannot be protection.”

See full statement here:

” STATEMENT BY HON. TOSHANA FAMEY-CORLETTE, MP ON DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE FIZAL KARIMBAKSH

The growing number of serious allegations and disciplinary concerns surrounding Deputy Commissioner of Police Fizal Karimbaksh can no longer be ignored.

This is not about one allegation. It is about a pattern of complaints about the conduct of a senior officer who continues to hold one of the most powerful positions in the Guyana Police Force.

In 2018, the Police Office of Professional Responsibility confirmed an investigation into allegations of police harassment involving Karimbaksh while he commanded D Division.

In 2019, two female police recruits made sexual-harassment complaints against him.

In 2021, Village Voice published allegations from retired Assistant Commissioner Clinton Conway. He said that while Karimbaksh was Force Training Officer, eleven female trainees made sexual-harassment allegations against him.

Now, in 2026, a serving female Police Inspector has come forward alleging repeated sexual assault, threats to kill her and an alleged firearm incident. She says the alleged incidents occurred in 2019, 2023 and 2024, and that she reported the matter to the Minister of Home Affairs on September 20, 2026.

The Minister of Home Affairs has already said that sexual-misconduct allegations involving senior officers and female ranks must be taken “very, very seriously”, and that accountability must apply regardless of rank or position.

So I am calling on the Minister of Home Affairs to act now. Karimbaksh should be immediately removed from operational command while these matters are independently investigated.

Then there is the Calvin Brutus matter.

It was alleged that Karimbaksh contributed 25% of the $20 million purchase price of a Schoonord property allegedly acquired by Brutus, and that he gave Brutus and his wife a substantial wedding gift. I am not presenting those claims as proven. But given that Karimbaksh was heading the unit investigating Brutus, they raise serious questions about potential conflicts of interest.

Then, in 2026, a video emerged showing Karimbaksh intervening in an anti-crime operation involving junior ranks. OPR investigated the incident, and the Commissioner of Police subsequently stated that body-camera footage showed the ranks on the ground had acted lawfully and according to procedure.

At what point do we have to ask whether the public can continue to have confidence in a senior police officer who has been the subject of so many serious allegations over the years?

From complaints of harassment, to sexual-harassment allegations involving female recruits, to disciplinary proceedings, to the latest allegations of sexual assault, threats and abuse of authority, there are simply too many serious matters surrounding one senior officer to keep pretending that this is business as usual.

Rank can not be a shield‼️

Position cannot be protection‼️”