PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Aug 6, CMC – Two officers, including a senior member of the Suriname Police Force (KPS) have been remanded into custody after they have been accused of embezzling SRD1,045,000 (One SRD=US$0.02 cents).
In a statement posted on its website, the police said that the two men, a chief inspector and a sub-inspector, were arrested as investigations continue into the “disturbances” that occurred at the Munder police station.
The statement said that Commissioner of Police, Bryan Isaacs, had ordered a “thorough investigation” by the Personnel Investigations Department (OPZ), after which the chief officer and non-commissioned officer were remanded into custody.
A third police officer, a non-commissioned officer, who is reported to have acted as an intermediary, has been suspended by the police chief.
Justice and Police Minister, Harish Monorath, had earlier this week, described as “very serious” reports that large sums of money, gold jewelry, and a quantity of seized cocaine have disappeared from within the KPS in recent months.
The incidents are alleged to have taken place at the Narcotics Squad and one particular police station and Monorath in an interview with the online media outlet, Tra Fas’ De, said that while he has not yet received an official report from Chief of Police, Bryan Isaacs, he is deeply concerned at the matter.
“This is a serious matter. Not only could there be internal negligence or corruption, but it also undermines public confidence in the police and thus in the rule of law,” Monorath said.
On August 1, the KPS said “it has emerged that seized sums of money, the return of which was ordered by the Public Prosecution Service (OM), have been misappropriated. Internal measures have now been taken regarding the procedure to be followed for seized funds”.
Media reports said that while the first incident came to light in April, the information only became public four months later.
In its latest statement, the KPS said that the investigations are continuing and that the public should await the outcome of these investigations “and to refrain from any form of speculation and/or spreading false information”.
The Justice and Police Minister has said that “these kinds of things shouldn’t be swept under the rug, adding “we must be honest and transparent with society”.
According to the media reports, approximately US$300,000, approximately 1.5 kilogrammes of cocaine, and an unknown amount of gold reportedly disappeared from the Narcotics Squad. Several seized mobile phones are also missing.
There are also reports that more than three million SRD had been reported missing from the Munder police station.
The money was intended to settle a civil dispute between citizens, with the money being paid in installments through the police. However, the injured party only received SRD100,000, after which the remaining money was discovered to be missing.
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