Another cop and wife charged

(CNS): RCIPS officials are remaining tight lipped over the latest arrest and charge of another serving police officer. An RCIPS spokesperson said Friday that a police sergeant and his wife were both formally charged on Wednesday with obstructing, preventing, perverting or defeating the course of justice. They have been summoned to appear before the Summary Court on 17 June and the officer has been suspended from active police duty. CNS can confirm that the case has not been investigated by the Anti-corruption Unit but the police have not released any other information. The news comes in the wake of the conviction of former PC Elvis Ebanks yesterday on corruption related charges, which police said demonstrated that officers were not above the law.

Following Ebanks' conviction, RCIPS management released a statement in which they said that the objective of the police service is to uphold the law without fear or favour; to prevent and detect crime and bring to justice those who transgress the laws of the land.

"PC Elvis Kelsey Ebanks guilty verdict reached by the jury yesterday is another example that the RCIPS will not tolerate corrupt police officers," police said. "The RCIPS takes allegations of corruption against its officers very seriously, and will pursue any allegations against its officers who disobey the laws. Police officers are not above the law and will be held accountable if they disobey the laws.

"Unfortunately, this type of dishonest behaviour smears the reputation of many of the RCIPS officers who are honest, trustworthy, hardworking and committed. The RCIPS will continue to strive to maintain the highest standards and professionalism and pride in our service to the public," the management spokesperson added, shortly before the revelations that another officer was facing criminal charges.

in addition to Ebanks' conviction Thursday, the RCIPS investigated a number of their own officers this year. In March PC Raphael Williams took his own life a few days after he was bailed, having been arrested in connection with a suspected blackmail and breach of trust case. Another officer is currently awaiting his fate regarding firearms charges and even the police commissioner is awaiting a decision from the legal department over the level of force he used when he ran over a fleeing suspect in his vehicle following an armed robbery in George Town.