Professional Standards Branch Steps Up in Wake of Dirty Cops’ Exposure
Recently, there’s been a spate of incidents in which police officers have been caught on video with contraband goods and only last week a cop was charged with theft. The actions of these officers have tainted the department which has prompted reaction from the Ministry of Home Affairs. A statement says that the Police Professional Standards Branch’s capacity is being enhanced and will see its personnel take a proactive role in ensuring that its professionalism is second to none. The ministry is also encouraging the public to report any improper activities by officers. In an interview, C.E.O. George Lovell echoed the release which says that decisive action will be taken against those engaged in corrupted practices, unwarranted use of force and other criminal acts which bring the integrity and professionalism of the department into question.
George Lovell
(Ret’d) Col. George Lovell, C.E.O., Ministry of Home Affairs
“What I would want to echo is the fact that the ministry is serious about this. And that while we see all the current reports coming forward, until and unless these officers are proven to be guilty of their act, I want to be cautious in saying that they will be given due process because everyone under our law should be offered and should be granted due process as we go through. But we will not in any way, shape or form tolerate while when we identify that there are officers who have committed any wrongdoing. We will be swift, we will be thorough and we will ensure that once someone is found guilty that person is dealt with to the full extent of the law. And I am talking about our own because these police officers are our own; it is just unfortunate that there are a very small minority of our officers which cause our entire department, an entire ministry to sometimes find itself being in disrepute.”
In the case of female police officer in the west, WPC Ann Marie Anthony was criminally charged with theft. Meanwhile those alleged contrabandista officers; Police Constables Jorge Ascurio and Elston Rojas and Police Corporal Abner Marroquin have been slapped with disciplinary charges and placed on interdiction. Alfredo Gongora has been suspended from the Special Constables program in Orange Walk.
