Arragon also spoke about the recent dust up in San Pedro where the officer in charge of the Tourism Police Unit on San Pedro Corporal Sharmane Young was transferred after the area representative and minister of tourism Manuel Herredia complained about her. Young had arrested an unruly tourist Lisa Marie Merz.
But, she's not the only one being transferred. ASP Viennie Robinson who is the officer in Charge at San Pedro is also being transferred. She has bucked heads with the Commissioner a number of times.
Today Arragon explained her transfer wa sin process for some time:
ACP Elodio Aragon, O/C Eastern Division
"When it comes to Ms. Vianney Robinson, the officer commanding San Pedro. She has been stated for transfer and I think presently that is being looked at for January. If I am not mistaken it is for the 15th January of next year for her to be transfer to Belize City and at that point in time a replacement will be sent out to San Pedro. That has been in the plan already."
"In regards to Cpl. Young, I would like to tell you that Cpl. Young transfer is an administrative transfer and that transfer was made from police headquarters. Like I mention it would be best to address your question to police headquarters whom are responsible for the transfer of Cpl. Young and I am quite sure they will have reasons as to why they transferred her."
Jules Vasquez
"If we can't get an answer from the 4th or 5th in command in the department - Officer Commanding Eastern Division - there is no answer to be had. Mr. Henderson doesn't take our calls."
ACP Elodio Aragon, O/C Eastern Division
"As I have said; as OCED, my powers of transfer lies within reposting within the districts - that does not take away from police headquarters their power of transfer likewise. They may have received reports that I may have not seen as OCED."
Aragon also explained how he interceded to get Lisa Marie Merz bail after Herredia called him.
Aragon says there was nothing irregular about that:
ACP Elodio Aragon, O/C Eastern Division
"One of the concerns was when I looked at the situation it was the holiday of the 19th - it was a long weekend. Looking at that situation there I have spoken to officer commanding and I mention to her will this person be charge? What would be the situation with her? If she is to spend all that weekend there for these minor offences and she mentioned to me that that is the present situation they are looking at and I told her listen, this person si somebody well-known in San Pedro - is the police department - why did we take up a responsibility to have somebody detained who may be alleging at this point in time injuries etc. Let us look at assisting in giving her bail, so we do not have somebody up to Tuesday morning detained for these offences. I had ensured that we get appropriate persons who are Belizeans to sign bail and this is all within the legal power of the police. "
According to the San Pedro Sun Merz pleaded guilty to four charges, and not guilty to the charge of "assaulting a uniformed police officer" which she was later found guilty of. Her charges are: Assaulting a uniformed police officer fined $800; Use of Indecent Words fined $100; Use of Insulting Words fined $100; Boisterous Behavior fined $50 and Resisting Arrest fined $300.
Email
Print