SOCU head Karimbaksh calls sexual harassment accusations ‘trumped up’
-disciplinary charge in limbo after court challenge
Current head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Senior Superintendent Fazil Karimbaksh has acknowledged that the Police Service Commission (PSC) has moved to institute disciplinary action against him over accusations of sexual harassment, which he says are “trumped up.”
“I am aware of some trumped up accusations involving members of the force… accusations trumped up by senior and junior members of the force,” Karimbaksh told Stabroek News on Friday.
He also acknowledged that a High Court case was filed on his behalf against the PSC and although it was dismissed he said it is subject to appeal.
Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Clinton Conway, who is a member of the PSC, said the accusations and planned disciplinary action are the reason Karimbaskh was not considered for promotion.
Conway told Stabroek News that three female police recruits lodged complaints and following an investigation it was recommended that the Senior Superintendent be charged under the Police Discipline Act.
“There was evidence that might have been used for criminal charges under the Sexual Offences Act but the PSC first decided to institute departmental charges and [the investigating officer] was directed to serve [Karimbaskh] with a disciplinary charge but before that could happen he took the Commission to court,” Conway said.
According to Conway, this is not the first time that Karimbaskh has been accused of sexual harassment.
“When he was force training officer 11 female trainees accused him of harassment and an investigation was carried out. I saw that report but it was never taken to the PSC. I don’t know what happened to it,” Conway said.
The retired Assistant Commissioner expressed the view that the charges recently brought against him and PSC Chair Paul Slowe are part of efforts to stall the operations of the current Commission until its expiration in August of this year.
“If they are able to stop us from acting until August, then they can remove us and promote whomever they wish,” he opined.