Chester Williams is Back; No Beef with ComPol Whylie

After clearing up an administrative tiff between the Commissioner of Police and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, the top cop is back on the job as regional commander for the Eastern Division South. Williams was placed on leave briefly on Monday, but by Tuesday afternoon, after a meeting with the top brass of the Ministry of Home Affairs, he resumed duties. The Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie was apparently not advised that Williams would change the twelve-hour shifts for officers to eight-hours on duty. So after going head to head with his boss, did Williams come out on top?

Chester Williams

ACP Chester Williams, Regional Commander, Eastern Division South

“The Commissioner is the commissioner; the commissioner has that authority. And if he thinks that was something that he could have done, I support the commissioner in what he did. The matter was discussed in Belmopan yesterday and it has been settled and I think that should be the end of the matter.”

Reporter

“The police officers I am in contact with say they remain on the eight-hour shift. Is that right? The eight-hour shift experiment continues?”

ACP Chester Williams

“Yes it continues and the commissioner has ordered a consultation survey in respect to the matter and when the survey is done then he will make a final determination from there.”

Reporter

“But is it premature for a survey, in terms that you just reinstated it four days ago. The survey will be done forthwith?”

ACP Chester Williams

“Well the commissioner has given his directive and that is within his purview. I am not going to question his authority where that is concerned.”

Reporter

“Would you say that you all are able to salvage a harmonious working relationship? You went head to head with the ComPol and you won Mister Williams. Your eight-hour shift is still in effect.”

ACP Chester Williams

“There is no winner or loser in the situation and I do not want you or anyone to think that there is a beef between the commissioner and myself.”