Compol expects cops to be charged
In less than two weeks, separate incidents involving police officers have resulted in the shooting deaths of two civilians. In the wake of such jarring blows to the image of police community relations, this afternoon Police Commissioner Carmen Zetina told News 5 that the cops involved will be charged. But Commissioner Zetina says while the department will accept responsibility for its actions, the public has to take some of the blame.
Janelle Chanona
“Commissioner, in two weeks you’ve had two incidents where police officers have felt is necessary to draw their weapons and fire onto civilians; both instances have resulted in civilian deaths. What’s the status of the investigation in both instances?”
Carmen Zetina, Commissioner of Police
“Well one, as far as I’m concerned the one in Caye Caulker, that has been completed and we will be acting soon on the directive of the D.P.P. The other one that happened over the weekend, that will be completed no later than Thursday and submitted the same day to the D.P.P.”
Janelle Chanona
“Do you see coming out of the Caye Caulker one involving the police officer, will he be charged?”
Carmen Zetina
“Let me tell you, the first one in Caye Caulker, yes, a directive has been given regarding that. With regard to the second one, I am somewhat looking at the seriousness of it. I think that charges will be levied also in that case.”
“What you all have to understand is you have to know all the circumstances surrounding the case, you can’t just jump to conclusions. Yes, somebody died and they died as a result of the use of a police weapon, but you have to understand the circumstances which led to that event. For example, in this case that happened Saturday, you know the police was actually executing their duties in apprehending a person that is a notorious criminal for that matter. He was wanted in connection with a robbery and he had called upon the bystanders, who happened to be his friends that were there at the time, for assistance in trying to impeded or hamper the police in the execution of their duties.”
Janelle Chanona
“So the public has to take some of the blame you’re saying as well.”
Carmen Zetina
“Certainly under those circumstances, yes. I don’t want anybody to interpret these events that police have a license to kill, no way on that. But the police has a right to defend themselves.”
The police investigation into the Ladyville killing will be completed by Thursday and the file handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
