Minister Espat comments on Alvarez removal

Following the handing over ceremony, News Five asked Minister of National Security Jorge Espat about the removal of A.I.P. Simeon Alvarez as the officer in charge of the Criminal Investigation Branch at Eastern Division. Espat said the decision to reassign Alvarez was based on a report into the theft of seven guns from the evidence room which indicates there was blatant non compliance with rules set out by the police department.

Jorge Espat, Minister of National Security and Immigration

“The guns were never lodged with the National Exhibit keeper and it was a decision taken by the commissioner of police. It is a decision we respect at the Ministry and certainly we look forward to the report by the deputy commissioner and obviously we need to make the necessary changes.”

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

“But you will be looking into the whole situation?”

Jorge Espat

“Yes, we take this very seriously because obviously it has implications. If those guns are not recovered it will impact on the cases before the court. And obviously we worked so hard to confiscate I believe now over 200 firearms since September of last year, it prejudices the work we do and certainly we take it very seriously.”

“We have said from September last year that we are setting certain standards we have specific policies and systems in place and we are holding those responsible. What happens in the immigration and nationality department I as the Minister hold the Director responsible for. What happens in the police dept we hold the commissioner for. And what happens with the Belize Defense Force we hold accountable the commandant of the BDF.”

“It is not to cast any aspersions against AIP Alvarez. He is an outstanding officer, but it is the decision of the Commissioner of Police that because AIP Alvarez is in charge of the CIB and because of the deputy commissioner’s report that I read this morning there is blatant non-compliance with certain regulations and therefore the decision was taken.”

Minister Espat said that at this time Commissioner of Police Ornell Brooks has not informed him of any replacement for Alvarez. News Five understands that Alvarez has been assigned to the Raccoon Street police station and should report to work on Monday.