Deputy ComPol Segura Remains on Interdiction Following Fatal RTA
Miguel Segura
Deputy Commissioner of Police Miguel Segura remains on interdiction with half pay, following a fatal road traffic accident along the George Price Highway on August sixteenth, 2014. The deadly head-on collision on the stretch of road near the outskirts of San Jose Succotz claimed the life of fifty-four-year-old Yolanda Valencia and left twenty-eight-year-old cabdriver Yanie Cu badly injured. In the wake of the tragic incident, criminal and civil suits were filed separately; the civil matter concluding in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The Government of Belize has been ordered to compensate the Valencia family in the sum of seventy thousand dollars. This afternoon, Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie spoke briefly on the outcome of the civil claim.
Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
“I don’t think it’s a matter of the deputy settling with the family. The matter was settled by the Government of Belize. The Government of Belize was being sued and I guess in their wisdom of the legal persons, a settlement was arrived at.”
Reporter
“Many have disputed that this is in turn somewhat of a guilty statement on the part of the government that, you know, we’re at fault.”
Allen Whylie
Allen Whylie
“No, I wouldn’t think it’s anything of that nature. You have to understand that in civil cases the level of evidence required is of a lesser nature than a criminal matter. I guess based on the suit, as well as the legal review they decided to settle and they have that right to settle.”
Reporter
“Do you, in your personal opinion, believe that Mr. Segura should take it a step further and resign?”
Allen Whylie
“I have no personal opinion in respect to that matter. That’s a matter for Mr. Segura to decide solely.”
Reporter
“In the meantime he remains a member of the police department. What’s the status there?”
Allen Whylie
“Yes, he is still the substantive Deputy Commissioner of Police. He remains on interdiction since the incident occurred but he is still a member of the Belize Police Department.”
Isani Cayetano
“What is the duration of his interdiction, can you tell?”
Allen Whylie
“The interdiction will be until the conclusion of the criminal matter.”
Reporter
“In the meantime then the police department will decide whether he will be rejected from the police department or he will continue?”
Allen Whylie
“As I said, Mr. Segura is the substantive Deputy Commissioner of Police. He is on interdiction. Whether or not he remains a member of the department at this stage is his decision.”
Reporter
“Were there any disciplinary charges brought?”
Allen Whylie
“Yes, a disciplinary case was forwarded to the Security Services Commission. He was represented by his attorney and they had asked the commission to put that matter on hold pending the outcome of the criminal case. The commission had agreed with that application and so that disciplinary matter is on hold until the criminal matter concludes.”
The criminal matter filed against Deputy ComPol Segura remains before the court.
