Guyana's Police Commissioner Henry Greene
News Americas, GEORGETOWN: Guyana’s Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene, has proceeded on leave, pending investigation into an allegation of rape, made against him by a 34-year-old woman.
New Guyana President, Donald Ramotar, said he acceded to the request for leave by present Commissioner of Police Henry Greene and has requested Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, to seek external assistance in the investigation of rape.
The woman, the wife of a Guyana Defense Force officer, told Benschopradio.com, that the incident occurred at a City hotel for which she said Greene had keys to a room.
She said she went to see Greene about a matter involving a police officer, whose wife was involved in an extra-marital affair with her husband, and who had assaulted her. The victim related that after hearing about her plight, Greene pretended to empathize with her, even offering her up to G$15,000 in cash.
She claimed that on the night of the crime, the police commissioner drove her to a hotel, forced her into the room and demanded that she remove her clothing. She said Greene brandished his gun in the vehicle as well as in the hotel room. When she resisted he slapped her in the face and choked her into submission, she recalled. Greene then fitted himself with a condom and forcibly penetrated her for, even choking her during intercourse, she alleged.
The victim furnished telephone records which established that Green made phone calls and sent text messages, exceeding one hundred in total, to her cellular phone from his private cellular phone after the incident. The woman asserted that most of the communication from Greene was threatening. The woman said that the police commissioner also threatened to kill her on more than one occasions, and expressed fear for her life. The woman said she sought but only received limited medical treatment.
She has retained the services of prominent Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, and has filed an official complaint at the Brickdam Police station in Georgetown. Reports are that Guyana’s Crime Chief as well as the Head of the Presidential Secretariat were aware of the incident before it became public.
Greene has been previously accused of rape during President Desmond Hoyte’s administration. He was a senior superintendent at the time, and was reportedly sent on leave but reinstated after the investigation allegedly stalled over a lack of evidence.
Greene’s US visa was revoked in 2006 by the US government for alleged involvement with criminals, including drug lords. The then US Ambassador to Guyana in 2006 warned then President Bharrat Jagdeo not to appoint Green as Police Commissioner, as he was possibly under DEA investigation and could be indicted by the US Justice Department.
Green who has passed retirement age has been retained by the PPP government on a month to month basis. Police sources say his retention has stagnated promotion among the force’s top ranks.
Greene has not commented on the issue apart from saying God will be his judge.
