‘We want new accountable policing’- Benn says any concerns of corruption must be addressed

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn flagged concerns about funds that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) may be unable to account for and he emphasised that there is a need for “new, improved and honest” work to eliminate any potential corruption.

“If monies go to places where they should not go, it means there is massive collusion and corruption. That’s the only explanation for it.

“And if people think they could hide and carry money wherever and that we wouldn’t find out, you don’t need a doctorate to find out.

“We want new accountable policing, we want new and improved and honest work done, we have to see that the paper trail is not fraudulent,” Benn said on Tuesday.

Benn made these remarks as he addressed ranks of the GPF at the opening of its 185th anniversary symposium.

Benn seemed to be alluding to an ongoing investigation into allegations of financial irregularities levelled against Deputy Commissioner (ag) Calvin Brutus.

Though Commissioner of Police (ag.) Clifton Hicken said no investigation was ongoing, the Force last week announced in a statement that Brutus has requested to proceed on leave to facilitate the investigation in the interest of the Force.

“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,” the statement noted.

The annual leave was granted by Hicken. Minister Benn later revealed that the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) would undertake the probe.

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.

Speaking further on the matter on Tuesday, Benn said said after the allegations surfaced, “reviews, investigations and audits” have started in relation to the GPF as well as the other law enforcement agencies.

“If we can’t account for the monies in the procurement process and money pours out in ways in which it should not be then there is a problem because I have to account for it at Parliament and other places.

“We have a Procurement Commission, we have an Auditor General, an Accountant General, an Integrity Commission and other places and persons all will have to fall in line in relation to cleaning up this problem,” Benn explained.

As the Minister with responsibility for the Force, Benn said he has to ensure that funds allocated to the agency are accounted for.

“The level of turning back and questioning is horrendous. You need to root it out. If it’s a cancer, we hope that it doesn’t need surgery or chemotherapy and we hope that it ain’t reach stage three or four,” Benn said.

He urged the ranks, including the top brass of the Force, to confront the issues of corruption and collusion at the symposium.