Brutus takes annual leave, but Commissioner says no investigation is underway

Deputy Commissioner of Police (ag) Calvin Brutus has opted to take annual leave with immediate effect to facilitate an investigation into claims of financial irregularities levelled against him, but the Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken has said there is no investigation.

“There is no investigation going on whatsoever,” Hicken said on the sidelines of an event Wednesday.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Police Headquarters confirmed that Brutus requested to proceed on leave to facilitate the investigation in the interest of the Guyana Police Force.

The annual leave was granted by Hicken.

“Consequent to allegations of financial impropriety levelled against Deputy Commissioner (ag) Calvin Brutus on social media and established media houses, Calvin Brutus has since requested permission to proceed on annualised vacation leave with immediate effect to facilitate an investigation in the best interest of the Guyana Police Force.

“Permission was granted by the Commissioner of Police through the prescribed procedure,” Police Headquarters said in the statement.

The move comes days after the Force announced that there has been a rotation in its top brass.

The rotation, the Force has said, was part of the modernisation plan.

Brutus, who was previously in charge of ‘Administration,’ was among the three ranks who were rotated.

The two others are Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ (ag), Ravindradat Budhram who is now in charge of ‘Administration’ and Head of Special Branch Assistant Commissioner, Errol Watts is now in charge of ‘Operations’.

The announcement by the force was in response to social media post by an overseas-based Guyanese alleging that the Police Commissioner and another senior officer were sent home as part of an ongoing investigation by SOCU.

“Please note that this is not true. This report is misleading and fake,” Hicken clarified.

In response to questions at the sidelines of an event on Wednesday, Hicken reiterated no investigation is ongoing.

“No it’s not true and I made a release already through our system…There is no investigation going on whatsoever,” Hicken said.