Immigration to Assist Police in Criminal Investigation
The majority of the recommendations made by the Senate Special Select Committee is either accepted or in some cases has already been implemented in one form or another. But Director of Immigration Diana Locke told the committee on Wednesday that some work needs to be done to address the recommendation that the Ministry of Immigration forward its list of issues to the Police Department to facilitate a criminal investigation. Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie at his appearance before the Committee says he is still awaiting a formal copy of the Auditor General’s Report but the Director says their shortened version will get to him sooner. Locke also speaks about the approach the department is taking to implementation.
Mark Lizarraga, Pro-tem Chair, Senate Special Select Committee
“Recommendation number three says that the Director of Immigration and Nationality should ensure that the Commissioner of Police is informed of these findings so that a criminal investigation is launched. The Commissioner of Police should request the assistance of Interpol to identify all non-resident Belizeans and foreigners involved as well.”
Diana Locke
Diana Locke, Director of Immigration
“I do believe the Commissioner of Police is aware, and if a list needs to be provided to him of what is contained in this document then I think it should be given to him.”
Mark Lizarraga
“After you go through this and get this list, because the Commissioner is saying that he’s not doing anything until he gets a report.”
Diana Locke
“I would assume that he has a report on Mr. Kim.”
Mark Lizarraga
“We have yet to see that file, we are still awaiting it from the Commissioner of Police.”
Diana Locke
“I know nothing other than what I have handed over.”
Mark Lizarraga
“But you are prepared, certainly, to inform the Commissioner of Police after you’ve looked at the report and come up with your list, is what you are saying?”
Diana Locke
“Yes. If the Auditor General indicated that something is wrong and it needs to be investigated, we don’t have the capacity to do that, so I see no harm in compiling that list and forwarding it to him for him to take action.”
Mark Lizarraga
“But no such move has been done along those lines to date?”
Diana Locke
“Not since I’ve been there; I don’t know and I haven’t received any information to say if it has been done before.”
Mark Lizarraga
“But you’ve read the report?”
Diana Locke
“Yes.”
Mark Lizarraga
“You’ve seen the recommendations?”
Diana Locke
“Yes.”
Mark Lizarraga
“Have you spoken to the Ministry and those higher than you about the recommendations of this report in any way?”
Diana Locke
“Not at this point in time. I think we are trying to hear what comes out of this report, what has been coming out of the sessions; I have been trying, where I can, to listen to some of the reports, alongside of what I’ve read here to understand more of what is written here, because not everything that is written here, in my opinion, is clear to me. And so it requires – some of the things that I can say I see differently, because perhaps maybe I see more; but there are cases that clearly needs to be looked into and dealt with.”
Mark Lizarraga
“But those things that are not clear to you: have you or the Ministry made any effort to seek counsel from the Auditor General, seek clarity from the Auditor General?”
Diana Locke
“I’m learning the processes inside, from what I have seen, have made me realize that some of what is here is very much genuine and true, and some of it there is gray areas. But not a whole lot.”
