Police Association to Take ComPol to Court

Eldon Arzu

But is there some hanky-panky going on with the dues collected by the police association? Police officers have reportedly been asking for accountability and that hasn’t been forthcoming. Today, Commissioner Chester Williams says that the association seems to have taken issue over the request for an audit. Williams says that former Commissioner Allen Whylie had requested a report, but President Arzu has not provided the financial reports. Arzu now claims that Williams is acting outside the scope of his authority. Commissioner Williams says he is not backing down.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“When it comes to the work of the association, the previous Commissioner was on his tour and during his tour officers of the department who pay the association money every year questioned the then commissioner what was being done about the money that they are paying to the association; rightfully so, they need to know that the association is spending the money the way it should. The then commissioner couldn’t answer and he had directed Mr. Arzu to submit to him an audit of the association’s account – which the commissioner has all rights to do. Then Corporal Arzu wrote back the then commissioner that he is not going to do it. Man, this man seemingly believes that he is bigger than the commissioner. After I took over, I informed Mr. Broaster to meet with Mr. Arzu to let him know that I support what the former commissioner was doing and I want the report submitted. I am still awaiting that report. Instead, I got an application for a judicial review. I will say that as a lawyer, I ensure that whatever I do is done within the scope of my authority of the commissioner of police. The judicial review application is saying that I acted ultra vires, I don’t see how. I am prepared. The AG Ministry is preparing them and we are going to court and answer the judicial review if the court grants leave for judicial review. But, be it as it may, Corporal Arzu is a member of the Police Department. He is subject to the discipline of this organization and once he has done anything which is wrong and is a breach of discipline he will be dealt with like any other person because he is not above the law.”