Law enforcement document leaked by Immigration

(CNS): A confidential law enforcement document about a wanted man that was recently circulated in the public domain was not leaked from the police department, but an investigation is now underway, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) said yesterday. The document, which gave details of a man whom police wanted to question in connection with child rape allegations, was sent via e-mail across the Cayman Islands.

The document leaked on 21 October was an internal police profile sheet on a wanted criminal, in this case relating to a man who has since been charged with the rape of a five-year-old child. The law enforcement information sheet that was circulated between agencies to ensure the suspect was tracked down by law enforcement officers was, at some point, leaked into the public domain and then sent to thousands of e-mail addresses.
RCIPS and Immigration both stated that the respective departments take breaches of this nature extremely seriously and have initiated internal investigations. Preliminary indications suggest that the disclosure was made by a member of the Immigration Department.
“The RCIPS is satisfied that no breach was made by any member of the Police Service. Law enforcement agencies, such as the Police Service and Immigration Department, routinely share information in the course of conducting investigations and tackling crime. Some of this information is sensitive in nature and cannot be released to the public so as not to prejudice the investigation and any future court proceedings. It follows, therefore, that all officers in receipt of such information are under a strict duty of confidentiality,” police said in a statement.
Both agencies acknowledged the critical importance of receiving information from the public about crime and the need to protect the information to ensure the public was not deterred from coming forward. Both agencies said they wished to assure the community that if any deliberate or reckless breach of this duty of confidentiality isfound, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the person or persons involved.
“The RCIPS takes this opportunity to reaffirm that as much information as is possible is released to the public bearing in mind all factors such as investigation protection and victims rights,” they stated. “It is not the policy of the RCIPS to release personal details of those under suspicion, those wanted in connection with a crime, or those arrested. Personal details, such as name and age, can only be released when a person has been charged and has a date to appear in open court.”
The police explained that the policy exists not only to protect the investigation process and ensure that they have the best chance of securing a conviction, but to protect those who are innocent of any crime.
“Law enforcement agencies strive to be as open and transparent as possible and whilst all agencies understand the desire and need for information, upholding the law and protecting investigations must always be of primary concern,” police said.