Break-down in police procedures revealed in Galvez murder case

Oliver Del Cid

The investigative team which delved into the allegations of wrongdoing by the police department in the Chris Galvez case was lead by Oliver Del Cid, the Deputy National Security Coordinator.  The other two team members were Jennifer Saldivar Ramirez, an administrative Officer and ASP Marlon Allen, a police liaison officer.  The conclusion of the findings did not reveal any smoking gun or conspiracy by members of the police department to cover up the murder.  It did, however, highlight the mass shortcomings and breach of procedures at every level of case handling.  That we knew already from the Harold Crooks Report, however the investigative team emphasized the need to train all Criminal Investigative Branch Officers and those in the Internal Affairs Department.

Oliver Del Cid, Deputy National Security Coordinator Head, Inquiry Team

“One: there is no evidence of professional misconduct in how the murder investigation is being conducted though the investigation was not, in its initial stages, as quick or as comprehensive as would be expected. Two: the inquiry team found no evidence that external influence led to the release of Andre Aguilar before forty-eight hours. Similarly, the team found no evidence that any procedures or laws were breached by his release. Three: the behavior of the police officer who had first arrived at the scene of the crime, when he went to the Galvez residence on the evening of the twenty-third and allegedly on twenty-fourth December, was perceived as threatening by the Galvez family. The inquiry team also determined that the IAD investigation into the actions of the officer was not carried out as expeditiously as was expected and remained incomplete as much as seven weeks after the alleged incidents occurred. Four: the police officers who responded to the shooting incident could have provided much needed medical assistance to Christopher Galvez had they received sufficient training in first aid. Five: the police officer who first arrived on the scene may have breached Standing Orders by leaving the scene of the crime and by not assisting the officers from the Mahogany Street Police Sub-Station in securing the area. Six: the inquiry team could not determine if anyone gave Andre Aguilar permission to remove the license plate from his vehicle. The officers from the Mahogany Street Police Sub-Station may have also contravened Standing Orders in failing to fully secure the crime scene and to keep Aguilar in sight, either of which would have prevented him from removing the license plates. Seven: the detention and release of Andre Aguilar were not properly recorded in the station diary and the CIB Register as required by the Police Department standing orders. Eight: there are strong indications that various police officers have passed information on the case to members of the Galvez family, either on their own initiative or at the request of the family. This breach may also suggest that information could have also been passed to other persons.

“The failure of any persons who were at or came to the scene of the crime to render aid to Christopher Galvez is deeply regrettable. Though the bullet may not have damaged any vital organs or the main carotid arteries, the wounds to the face were quite severe and life threatening because of the extensive network of arteries present. The failure of the first police officer who first arrived on the scene to render medical assistance appears to be counter to the Belize Police Department Standing Orders which state “When accidents occur in public places or people become ill or collapse into unconsciousness and police are called, their first duty is to render first aid to the casualty.  The departure of the police officer who first arrived at the scene of the crime without thoroughly briefing the Mahogany Street Police Sub-Station officers who responded and without assisting in securing the crime scene may have contravened standing orders. Though the inquiry team is aware that he was not working that night, the Belize Police Force Standing Orders and instructions clearly state that “Every police officer shall be deemed to be on duty at all times…” and furthermore clarifies that “when a crime is committed the action taken by the first officer at the scene is of the greatest importance because a mistake or omission at the outset may cause serious difficulty later”.”

Jose Sanchez

“Was Andre Aguilar tested for gunshot residue?”

Crispin Jeffries, Commissioner of Police

“To the best of my recollection, no. The average police officer is not equipped at this time to respond and if you’re handling blood it is standard that you have gloves. None of the officers at the scene at the material time may have had gloves with them. That is not a part of the inquiry but there are certain things that are standard. One would be trained to cover his face. Those type of equipment may not have been a standard part of what was available to those officers at the material time.”

Jose Sanchez

“The officer you said contravened several standing orders, from securing the crime scene to failure to render medical aid. Does this officer have a history of going against standing orders? Did your investigation look at that? Or is it only in this particular case?”

Oliver Del Cid

“I have no knowledge of his behavior in previous incidents.”

Jose Sanchez

“What disciplinary actions will be taken on this officer for the perceived threats against the Galvez family?”

Oliver Del Cid

“That would be taken up with I.A.D. as the Internal Affairs Department will be responsible for dealing with that case”

Carlos Perdomo, Minister of National Security

Carlos Perdomo

“The report will be handed to the commissioner and he will proceed with any issue that deals with any disciplinary actions against the officer.”

Jose Sanchez

“There are several instances of breakdown that is revealed in every instance of the investigation, as revealed by your findings. Is this something that damns the Police Department for not being able to log when someone is taken in and out of lock up?  Is it out of hand?

Carlos Perdomo

“It is something that the police has suffered with for many years. As you know, the recruitment requirements before was just primary school education. We’re going to change that this year. No primary school will be taken into recruit squad. From day one when we got into the ministry, we discovered that there were a lot of supervisory lapses. So one of the first things that we had asked the former commissioner and even the present commissioner is to review the supervisory powers particularly of sergeants and Corporals. We just finished that training recently.”