Former SWAT Commander interdicted
-pending disciplinary proceedings over neglect, conduct
In addition to being charged departmentally, Deputy Superintendent Motie Dookie, the former head of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, has been interdicted from duty and will now receive only half of his monthly salary until the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings initiated against him.
This information was communicated to Dookie by the Police Service Commission yesterday via a letter.
Dookie was implicated in the smuggling of 30 cases of whisky last year and the Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan had called for his dismissal from the Guyana Police Force.
According to the letter, a copy of which was seen by Stabroek News, the Commission, after “careful consideration and in accordance with Section 8 of the said Police (Discipline) Act,” has decided to interdict him from performing official duties with effect from November 5th.
It also informed him he would only be receiving half his salary.
Stabroek News understands that after successfully fighting a decision by former Police Commissioner David Ramnarine to send him on “Special Leave in the Public Interest,” Dookie was assigned to ‘A’ Division after resuming duty but he was later reassigned to Force Control, which he headed until yesterday, when he received the letter.
The letter, which was signed by Commission Chairman Paul Slowe, also informed Dookie that he is charged with two disciplinary offences, “Neglect of duty,” and “Conduct to the prejudice of good order and Discipline,” under the Police (Discipline) Act.
Dookie was travelling in a minibus along the Whim Public Road, Corentyne, on December 30th, last year, when it was stopped by a police anti-crime patrol and the 30 cases of whisky were found aboard.
At the time, Dookie and the driver of the minibus were the only occupants of the vehicle. The police have said that the Dookie indicated that 10 cases of whisky were in the minibus and they were to be used for a party. However, a search of the minibus revealed the 30 cases, which were all seized.
At the time of the interception, Dookie should have been on duty in the city. Dookie was spared criminal charges after the driver of the minibus took full responsibility for the contraband.
Aside from a fine not exceeding ten days’ pay, the Act allows for admonition, a reprimand, a severe reprimand, the award of extra duties and fatigue not exceeding four hours in every 24 hours, confinement to barracks for any period not exceeding 28 days with or without drill, reduction in rank and dismissal from the force. These forms of punishment are delegated by the Commission and are subject “to such conditions as it thinks fit.”
The Commission has the power under the Constitution to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding the rank of Inspector and up.
Slowe told Stabroek News on Thursday that the disciplinary matters would have to go through a process, which includes a trial. “I am not sure [how long it will take] but we are trying to get it done as quickly as possible,” he said. He was hoping that the matter can reach a conclusion in the next few weeks.