Hicken rescinds order sending Karimbaksh on pre-retirement leave

(Kaieteur News) – ‎Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken has rescinded his letter in which he ordered embattled Deputy Commissioner and head of SOCU, Fizal Karimbaksh to proceed on pre- retirement leave amidst investigations into the allegations of rape and threatening behaviour brought against him by a female inspector.

The move comes hours after Karimbaksh threatened to take legal action against the force for sending him on leave. ‎In his letter, Hicken explained that the decision was taken upon further consideration of the constitutional and legal framework governing the exercise of authority in respect of the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police, including the respective powers of the President, the Police Service Commission, and the Commissioner of Police.

As such, the police chief rescinded and withdrew his previous letter by which leave was granted to Karimbaksh with immediate effect. ‎Accordingly, he said that his previous letter shall cease to have effect, and any further action concerning the grant of leave shall be undertaken by the appropriate authority in accordance with the Constitution and applicable law.