# Guyana Police Deputy Rejects 174 Days of Forced Leave

> Guyana police deputy rejects 174 days of forced leave amid rape investigation.
- Title: Guyana Police Deputy Rejects 174 Days of Forced Leave
- Summary: Guyana police deputy rejects 174 days of forced leave amid rape investigation. Deputy Police Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh refused 174 days of forced leave…
- Keywords: guyana, police, deputy commissioner, fazil karimbaksh, special organised crime unit, socu, rape complaint, forced leave, 174 days, retirement, april 2027, police commissioner clifton hicken
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/guyana-police-deputy-rejects-forced-leave-2026
- Author: Contributing Reporter
- Published: 2026-10-12T21:40:38+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: guyana, police, deputy commissioner, fazil karimbaksh, special organised crime unit, socu, rape complaint, forced leave, 174 days, retirement, april 2027, police commissioner clifton hicken
## Forced Leave Order
Deputy Police Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh rejected 174 days of forced leave through his lawyer.

> You have no lawful authority to impose such leave upon my client
## Leave Dispute
Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken set 8 November as start date for leave ahead of retirement in April 2027.

> Mr Karimbaksh "remains ready and available to discharge his duties and comply with lawful directions"
## Legal Challenge
Lawyer claims official records show 118 days, not 174, so start date is disputed.

> If the commissioner enforces it, the lawyer says, court proceedings will follow
## Commission Not Active
Guyana’s Police Service Commission is not constituted; term expired in July.

> The commission that disciplines senior officers is not currently in place
## Rape Complaint
A woman police inspector accused Karimbaksh of rape; threatening behaviour reported.

> A woman police inspector who worked at SOCU has accused Mr Karimbaksh of rape
## US Link
Karimbaksh denied social media reports of US detention in July; said considering legal action.

> He said he was considering legal action against those behind the posts
## No Charge
No charge has been reported; Karimbaksh is presumed innocent.

> No charge has been reported, and he is presumed innocent
## Investigation Status
Rape investigation ongoing; no public reply to lawyer’s letter by 12 October.

> It is not known whether Mr Hicken will enforce the leave from 8 November
## Next Steps
Court proceedings possible if commissioner enforces leave; new commission appointment unclear.

> It is also unclear when a new Police Service Commission will be appointed
## What Matters
Socu handles financial crime with US oil company ExxonMobil; leadership dispute could slow work.

> Guyana’s oil boom is led by US company ExxonMobil
## Key takeaway

Deputy Police Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh refused 174 days of forced leave through his lawyer, claiming no legal authority to impose it ahead of retirement in April 2027.