Departmental charges are to be instituted against the two police constables who were placed under close arrest during the murder investigation of Kescia Branche, police said on Thursday.

In a statement the police said the legal advice obtained outlined that the lawmen be charged under the Police (Discipline) Act Chapter 17:01 with: neglect of duty; consuming intoxicating liquor while on duty; improperly enters licensed premises and act in a manner likely to bring discredit on the reputation of the Force.

Earlier this month 47-year-old taxi driver Matthew Munroe was charged with the murder of Branche. It is alleged that he, on November 7, 2017 at Georgetown, murdered Branche. His attorney had told the court that his client resides at Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, and that besides being a taxi driver, is also a part-time public relations consultant. According to the lawyer, on the night of Branche’s alleged attack/murder his client was out of the country, and has phone records to prove these claims. Police Prosecutor, Inspector David Mansfield told the court that there are several issues that need to be clarified by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and on that note he requested that the matter be adjourned for a month. The Chief Magistrate agreed and remanded Munroe until January 9, 2018.

Branche, a mother of one, who resided in Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, was last seen on November 4, when she left for a night out with her friends. However, her unconscious body was found in the vicinity of Princes Street and Louisa Row the following day. Her left leg was broken and there was evidence that she’d sustained multiple head injuries. The Richard Ishmael Secondary School teacher died at the Georgetown Public Hospital two days after being found battered in the City. A post-mortem indicated that she died as a result of brain haemorrhage. During police investigations three suspects-two of who were police ranks were being questioned regarding the death of Branche. The two policemen were placed under open arrest and were working out of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU).