Jagdeo confident in SOCU’s ability to investigate allegations of malpractice

The Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) recently opened an investigation into malpractice involving at least one senior officer of the Guyana Police Force and Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has reposed full confidence in the agency’s ability to do so impartially.

The Vice President told reporters that there will be no pressure to alter the outcome of that investigation or any such probe into malpractice anywhere in the country.

“There will be no cover-up,” Jagdeo said while noting that “the President himself is looking into the investigation.”

SOCU is investigating allegations of financial impropriety leveled against Deputy Police Commissioner (ag) Calvin Brutus.

Brutus last week opted to take annual leave to allow for the probe.

Jagdeo said even as the probe is ongoing there should be no attempt to vilify police officers.

He said the call by Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton for an investigating agency outside of Guyana to conduct the probe was duplicitous even as he reminded of the 2019 investigation against then Crime Chief, conducted by the Office of Professional Responsibility.

That investigation cleared Crime Chief Lyndon Alves and Jagdeo said it is in a similar fashion that SOCU has been asked to investigate the allegations against Brutus.

“We don’t want to vilify policemen too… a lot of them do a great job and are hardworking people,” Jagdeo said even as he defended recent comments of Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn.