The Police Department is under maximum scrutiny for the shooting death of Richard Allen Garcia. The Chunox villager was killed last week Friday - and villagers have bitterly protested, saying police recklessly used lethal force to take his life. A post mortem showed that he died form multiple gunshot wounds - when police say he was brandishing a machete. Nearby buildings were also left marked with bullett holes.
Today, the Minister of State with responsibility for the police expressed his condolences and his assurances that an internal investigation will be thorough:
Hon. Elodio Aragon, Police Minister of State
"First of all I would like to say, I would like to give my sympathies and condolences to the family you know every time there is an incident like this its' sad because there is a loss of life so I would like to start with that, secondly in terms of the investigation, I want the public to know that from the Ministry's stand point an investigation, the procedures have to follow in regards to an incident like this there are procedures that are set in place for such instances definitely the police department has sent out their investigation team as normal, processing the scene they have also sent out people from the Professional Standards Branch to do their independent investigation. Definitely that has to be done because this is now a situation where we have to ensure that the police acted in their scope of law."
"I am sure that this file will be compiled and will be sent to the DPP for her to peruse and for her to comment on this thing and see where it goes. If there is police wrong doing etc. Listen nobody is above the law and definitely we are not here to cover up anybody on this but definitely you have to understand the police officers went out there on official duties."
As far as we were able to determine, the officers involved have not been placed on interdiction. Another criticism from the residents was that Garcia's body was left exposed overnight after the shooting. Well Aragon re-iterated the Corozal police position that that was the only option they had in that case because the residents were stoning and aggressing the police.
There will be a town meeting tonight at 7 in Corozal to discuss stronger police presence and patrols in light of the recent murders among other issues having to do with community safety. Everyone is invited.
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