Transparency International affiliate accuses Commissioner Greene of corruption, calls for resignation
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol
Saturday, 25 February 2012 11:21
Police Commissioner Henry Greene
Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI), an affiliate of the international corruption watchdog Transparency International, on Saturday called on Police Commissioner, Henry Greene to resign, accusing him of corruption by using his office for private gain because he had sex with a potential criminal defendant.
“Given our concerns as outlined, TIGI is of the view that Mr. Greene is unfit to hold high or any public office and calls on him to resign immediately,” TIGI said in a strongly worded statement.
Greene is currently engaged in a High Court battle to save himself from being charged with rape as a recommended by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
“By indulging in sexual relations with a person of such obvious vulnerability, Mr. Greene abused his position and his authority. This clearly amounts to corrupt behaviour by internationally accepted standards, under which corruption is defined as “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain”,” TIGI added.
The Guyana Women Lawyers Association has already called on Greene to vacate office.
A complainant, who is the subject of an alleged extortion, has accused Greene of raping her on November 22, 2011 but he has insisted that the sex was consensual. The Police Commissioner, who is currently on special leave because of the matter, wants the High Court to quash the DPP’s decision because the accuser lacks credibility.
However, the DPP – noting that her advice could hardly be challenged because she is constitutionally fire-walled- has insisted that there is enough evidence for Greene to face trial by a judge and jury. The DPP has said a trial is the best place for the credibility of the complainant and the evidence to be tested.
Following is the full text of the statement by TIGI
TIGI wishes to condemn categorically the unethical conduct of the Commissioner of Police, who by his own admission engaged in sexual relations with a potential criminal defendant. Regardless of whether this sexual encounter was consensual or not, it violates the minimum standards of professionalism and integrity required of any member of law enforcement and certainly that required of the Commissioner.
It is unclear why a potential criminal defendant should be granted an audience with the COP in the first place, but having been granted such access, any relations outside of a strictly professional nature are completely unacceptable. It poses an irreparable conflict of interest, and will inevitably taint any further proceedings by raising the appearance of bias. No doubt it is considerations of this nature that render police officers of a lower rank who commit similar transgressions liable to punishment under the Police (Discipline) Act for acting in a manner likely to bring discredit to the reputation of the police force. That this Act does not apply to the COP does not make the holder of this office above the law; it simply indicates the wholly unprecedented nature of this situation and Mr. Greene’s complete lack of judgment.
Even on the face of it Mr. Greene’s admissions reveal egregious misconduct. As between himself and the alleged victim in this case, the imbalance of power is grossly disproportionate. By indulging in sexual relations with a person of such obvious vulnerability, Mr. Greene abused his position and his authority. This clearly amounts to corrupt behaviour by internationally accepted standards, under which corruption is defined as “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain”.
Moreover, Mr. Greene’s conduct is unbecoming of high office and inconsistent with generally accepted standards of leadership of a disciplined service. Police corruption undermines the public trust and its cooperation in crime prevention, detection, and investigation. If the police themselves are corrupt, anti- corruption efforts will be profoundly undermined. When they are tolerant of, complicit with, or even involved in criminal activity, they pervert their mission, becoming purveyors of insecurity rather than security. (USAID Program Brief– Anti Corruption and Police Integrity)
Transparency Institute Guyana Inc acknowledges the statement made by Dr. Roger Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, that the admission by Henry Greene that he had consensual sex with the woman accusing him of rape could in time lead to disciplinary action (SN 9th February, 2012). Given our concerns as outlined, TIGI is of the view that Mr. Greene is unfit to hold high or any public office and calls on him to resign immediately. If this is not forthcoming, then given the conclusion of the independent investigation by members of the Jamaican Police, we believe that it is incumbent on the government to invoke articles 211(4) and 225 of the constitution which prescribe the procedure for the removal from office of the Commissioner for misbehavior.
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