In a twist that has sent shockwaves through Guyana’s law enforcement community, Paul Slowe, once a prominent figure in the country’s police force, is scheduled to face the magistrate’s court on February 21, 2025. The former Assistant Commissioner of Police and ex-chairman of the Police Service Commission will be arraigned on a charge of sexual assault, marking another chapter in a series of legal troubles that have dogged the retired official in recent years.
The Guyana Police Force issued a statement on February 20, 2025, revealing that the charge stems from a complaint filed under Section 62(3) of the Sexual (Offenses) Act, Chapter 8:03. The specific charge is “Anonymity for Complaint in Press Reporting,” a provision designed to protect the identity of sexual assault victims.
According to the police statement, a thorough investigation was conducted following a complaint from a female who had previously reported being sexually assaulted by Slowe. The case file was subsequently submitted to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.
This new charge is not Slowe’s first encounter with sexual assault allegations. In October 2021, he faced three counts of sexual assault charges involving a senior policewoman. Those incidents allegedly occurred in 2019 at the Police Headquarters in Eve Leary, Georgetown.
The ongoing legal saga has raised questions about conduct within Guyana’s law enforcement leadership. Slowe, who served in the Guyana Police Force for 37 years and later chaired the Police Service Commission, has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus recently ruled that the previous sexual assault cases against Slowe would proceed summarily in the magistrate’s court, rejecting attempts to have them tried indictably in the High Court. This decision suggests that the new charge may follow a similar legal path.
The case has garnered significant public attention, with the police force accusing Slowe of “exhibiting criminal behaviour” through “malicious attacks” on social media against the alleged victim, actions they claim violate the spirit of the Sexual (Offences) Act.
As the legal process unfolds, this case continues to spotlight issues of accountability and conduct within Guyana’s police force. The outcome of Slowe’s arraignment on February 21 will be closely watched by both legal observers and the public, as it may have far-reaching implications for how sexual assault allegations against public officials are handled in Guyana.
The Guyana Police Force has stated that it is committed to thoroughly investigating all allegations of sexual misconduct, regardless of the accused’s status or position. As this case progresses, it will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing national conversation about sexual assault, victim protection, and accountability in public service.
