Former Police Detective Constable Akeimo Simon has been sentenced to 24 months in prison after being found guilty of demanding money with menace with intent to steal.
Simon, who was previously attached to Division 4A, was convicted on Thursday, August 6, 2026, following a trial before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.
The charge stemmed from an incident on March 9, 2024, during which Simon and Police Sergeant Wilson allegedly demanded $1 million from an engineer attached to the Ministry of Public Works and his wife.
The men reportedly claimed to be officers attached to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and told the couple they were being investigated for money laundering. The $1 million was allegedly demanded in exchange for dropping the purported investigation.
The matter was subsequently reported to SOCU, which launched an investigation. Both men were arrested and later charged.
During the trial, the court heard that Simon, who was a serving police officer at the time, used his position and apparent police authority to convince the complainant that he was the subject of an official SOCU investigation.
Evidence was also presented that Simon produced a firearm during the encounter and indicated that the matter could be settled through the payment of money.
Simon denied the allegations, maintaining that his involvement was connected to a private financial dispute involving a friend. However, the court rejected his account and found that the prosecution had proven the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
In determining the sentence, the court considered Simon’s age, clean antecedents, family responsibilities and prospects for rehabilitation. The seriousness of the offence and his misuse of the authority associated with his position as a police officer were also taken into consideration.
The charge against Sergeant Wilson was dismissed after the court determined that the evidence was insufficient to secure a conviction.
Simon was unrepresented during the proceedings.
SOCU was represented by Prosecutor Aaron Daniels, Attorney-at-Law David Braithwaite and Attorney-at-Law Darren Chan.
Head of SOCU, Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, said the conviction underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable when public office or institutional authority is used for unlawful purposes.
He reaffirmed SOCU’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, corruption and related offences, and said the Unit will continue to pursue matters where the evidence supports criminal charges.
