Police have forwarded the findings of their investigation into two of four sexual assault allegations against a senior police officer to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who will determine whether charges should be filed.
Three of the cases were initially reported to the police complaints unit several years ago but remained unresolved under three former police commissioners.
However, Acting Police Commissioner Verne Garde said on Thursday that he considered the allegations serious enough to warrant expedited action and resolution.
“Two of the matters have been completed,” Garde told reporters. “The investigations came to me sometime last week. The investigator continues to be the very same investigator that started off the process. He submitted the two files through his line of supervision. He has submitted a recommendation to me, I have read the recommendation, I have spoken to his supervisor and his supervisor also agrees with his investigation and I am also in agreement with the recommendations of his investigations.
“Out of an abundance of caution, I have referred both files to the DPP’s office so he may also review them and provide his recommendations.”
Garde said that once he received word from the DPP, he would promptly inform the press, either individually or collectively, without delay.
He emphasised the sensitivity of the case, noting that the law requires caution in discussing matters involving both the complainant and the accused.
He also clarified that each of the four allegations was investigated separately.
The issue has been widely debated on political platforms and social media over the past two years. While the law prohibits naming sexual assault and rape victims, or perpetrators unless convicted, a name linked to the accused has circulated publicly.
