But while investigators continue to tread on that matter carefully, in another murder, police were not so hesitant to press charges - even though the accused were cops. On Tuesday police arrested and charged three constables for murder. They are PC Reydel Teck, PC Romelio Logan, PC Jahsimir Cob. In addition to that, Sergeant Raymond Berry, who is being accused of administrative neglect, was placed on interdiction. The men are being accused of carrying out a vicious beat down of San Pedro Bartender Edwin Ixpatac on Thursday last week. The incident occurred while Ixpatac was detained at the San Pedro police station. The next day he was found unconscious in his cell and was later transported to the hospital where he died. A post mortem examination on the body concluded that Ixpatac died as a result of a blow to the head.
This comes right after San Pedro police recently participated in a course dealing with the proper Care and Custody of Prisoners. But are these courses working? Today we spoke to Assistant commissioner of Police Desiree Phillips about it.
ASP Desiree Phillips- O C, Eastern North Division
"You know there isn't much more I can speak of except what we have already informed you all in our press brief. I really cannot speak to the thought and the process of the officers' mind. I really don't know what was in their mind why they would ever think of doing something of that serious nature. The investigation on both levels continues, but for the time being we have enough evidence both on the criminal side and the internal side where appropriate charges have been laid."
Mike Rudon, CH5
"Is this any situation which would prompt further training, perhaps in areas like San Pedro where there is increased drinking and I am sure the police are always in altercations with people who are intoxicated?"
ASP Desiree Phillips- O C, Eastern North Division
"We have said in our briefing to the media that the training is one that we have been doing very often, continuous training. But we will definitely continue to maximize on training our police officers with the care and treatment of persons in custody and of course our public relations and community policing. This will continue."
The Guatemalan media has also picked up on the story as 30 year old Edwin is known to have been a Guatemalan before he moved to the community of 7 miles in Cayo, when he was 8 years old.
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