Top cop says report serious

| 02/02/2009

(CNS): Matters of “very serious concern” have allegedly been documented in what is being described by the acting commissioner of police as an unprecedented report for the Cayman Islands. However, what those concerns are remain a mystery as although the full report from the Special Police Investigation Team has been shared with the Governor, Commissioner James Smith has not revealed the contents to, or shared his concerns with, the Caymanian people.

The report, a formal assessment of the allegations of corruption within the RCIPS, had been due by the end of January, Smith said. “I can confirm that I have received the full report from the team, and that I have shared it with H.E the Governor Stuart Jack. As soon as the Cabinet is available, probably early next week, I will also share the broad findings with them followed by a briefing to my senior management team.”

He said the report is the result of 171 debriefing interviews, which took 406 debriefing working days and it contains 7,100 pages of audio transcripts including community impact statements.

“To put this report in context, I have to go back to March last year when people started coming forward with information concerning alleged corruption within the RCIPS.  After reviewing this initial information, HE the Governor instructed the investigative team to comprehensively document and assess the allegations being received from the community,” he added.

Smith said he was currently working on a plan to deal with matters raised in the report but was unable to share more information. He said he would keep the public informed when it is possible and appropriate to do so.

He did not say whether the ‘NetNewsgate’ element of the investigation (surrounding the alleged unlawful entry into the newspaper offices to look for evidence of a corrupt relationship between Desmond Seales and Deputy Commissioner Anthony Ennis) would be concluded.

Currently, Chief Superintendent John Jones remains suspended on full pay, former Commissioner Stuart Kernohan has been sacked, former Net News reporter Lyndon Martin faces two charges of false allegations against a police officer, Deputy Commissioner Rudy Dixon faces separate charges and Justice Alex Henderson has received $1.275 milion in damages for his unlawful arrest and search, all as a result of ‘NetNewsgate.’

The elected Cabinet members have called for SIO Martin Bridger to be removed from the investigation following his condemnation by Sir Peter Cresswell who presided over the Henderson case.

The LoGB Kurt Tibbetts and his PPM colleagues have persistently stated that nothing new has been revealed to them by Bridger or Smith, and unless evidence of any wrongdoing in the RCIPS is actually demonstrated, they want the investigation closed down.

 

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  1. Anonymous says:

    It is my strong belief that Act- Commissioner of Police James Smith is no more than a ¨stool pigeon¨ for Stuart Jack and Martin Bridger hence this report which paints a bad picture of the RCIPS and the Cayman Islands as a whole.

    Stuart Jack and Martin Bridger both needed someone like James Smith to support their position and to help save face, after the disaster they both created in the Cayman Islands.

    They are all ¨buddies¨ from the UK and as the old saying goes, ¨Birds of the same feather, they all flock together¨

    I hear that Rudi Dixon has a some strong defence evidence to lay down before the Grand Court in his upcoming trial, it will surely ¨Shake the halls/walls of the RCIPS and the Glass House¨ as well.

    Do not count Rudi Dixon out for one moment, he is no fool. He is just remaining silent and preparing to come out with a loud BANG !!!!!!!!

    I can´t wait to see it all unfold, get ready CNS, get ready Cayman Islands !!!!!

     

     

  2. Anonymous says:

    It is interesting how little ACP Smith actually said. Hopefully,localpoliticiansd will have the guts to be a bit more forthcoming.

    The scope of the invesrtigation would, if properly targetted, have amade a major impact into serious crime in the Cayman Islands. As it is, the resources have been squandered on a mindless ‘fishing exercise’, which has done nothing except demoralise and destroy the RCIPS.

    At the end of the day all Operation Tempura has done is make like much easier for the criminal element in the Cayman Islands.  

     

  3. Johnny Ebanks says:

    They need to wrap it up now and bring this investigation to an end once and for all.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Sounds good!

    But before they arrest anyone can they please check the Criminal Procedure Code to make sure its an arrestable offence.