On tonight's newscast, you've seen a lot on the police press conference that Commissioner Allen Whylie hosted. It was the first one in months by any senior officer. That's after Whylie changed the way that his commanding officers countrywide are allowed to interface with the media.
When he first became the commissioner he was the first top cop to authorize the officers in charge of the different formations to give informed briefings on different criminal matters, and what the police are doing to keep things under control. Then, early this year, he decided to go in the completely opposite direction, when he ordered that all information be filtered through the Police Press Office.
Two weeks ago, the forced the media to boycott the department, since the free flow of information has been cut off. Today, the press asked him for a comment on the rift, and here's what he had to say:
Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
"I have heard the criticisms. I have seen a letter from my good friend Jules and I want to say that yes we do have a meeting pending with the media and I'll try to arrange to have that meeting this week, that we can sit down and try to iron out some of the concerns that the media has. From our end we will continue to ensure that the press office issues what they are supposed to issue and try to be more timely in terms of providing..."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"But at least you would concede that the model to update or change what was has not been working. Do you at least concede that?"
Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
"No sir, I will not concede that. As far as I am aware the press office has been sending out the information. I've seen it on the news. It is being used. I think the portion the media has concern with is the fact that they no longer have the easy access where they are able to access officers and have press briefings. But the information is still being provided. The media is still utilizing the information."
Reporter
"That is not true. We are not using anything from the police department, because the reports come what 2-3 days after the incident happens. So we have been on the ground. These matters have started in the wee hours of Saturday morning. I work in the newsroom in LoveFM and a report comes from the police until after 10-11pm last night on these incidents."
Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
"Well we will have that discussion as I said. I will meet with the media people from our end because if they are not doing what they are supposed to do, then we will have to address that."
Reporter
"There appears to be philosophical difference between your high command and the rest of the world."
Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
"We will have that discussion when we have the meeting with the media. I will set a date this week, but I do have other commitments and meetings, so I need to when I get in Belmopan, I'll check my calendar and definitely this week we will meet."
As you heard, the Commissioner said that he will schedule that meeting for some time later this week. We'll wait for his call.
Email
Print