Acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken on Wednesday made it clear that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is under no influence by “outside parties” to address the allegations made by Sergeant Dion Bascom, who is attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
Sergeant Bascom has made damming allegations against senior ranks of the GPF of covering up the murder of Ricardo Fagundes, also known as ‘Paper Shorts,’ who was riddled with bullets in 2021.
The Police Force held a press conference on Wednesday to debunk the allegations made by Bascom, with Commissioner Hicken stating that it was necessary for a press conference since the Force’s reputation was at risk.
Hicken told reporters, “That’s a sergeant, and the influence that can he can have from the general public, is that this man is a sergeant, and he must know what he is saying [and] it’s important for us as we go forward to regain that trust based on perception out there and this is necessary.”
The Top Cop when questioned by members of the media on whether the institution is being forced or rushed to defend some members of the business community who are implicated in this situation, said, “There is no rush, or there is no influence over this, this is generally my side of policing.”
Commissioner Hicken indicated that there is a disciplinary action process that can be taken in instances like this. However, the Force is awaiting advice from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Meanwhile, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum pointed out that Bascom has not provided evidence to support his claims. He even revealed that an international law enforcement agency is assisting the GPF in investigating Fagundes’s execution.
Blanhum also revealed that items discovered at the crime scene were sent overseas for analysis to assist in the investigation.
The Crime Chief concluded, “Bascom is not being honest, and he is manufacturing false and concocted information out of malice against members of the Guyana Police Force, and it all stemmed from his arrest and detention by CANU investigations.”
Bascom’s allegations began circulating after he was arrested on August 8 by the Custom Anti-Narcotic Units (CANU) ranks after three pounds of cocaine was found hidden in a microwave at a Norton Street, Georgetown residence.
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