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Compol Comments On Rogue, Tourist-Threatening Cops on San Pedro
posted (June 23, 2017)
The Commissioner also commented on a constable and a special constable from San Pedro who were charged for allegedly extorting an American Tourist, threatening him with a gun to the head, and eventually robbing him.

28-year-old Timothy Braun reported to police that last Thursday evening, he was in downtown San Pedro smoking a cigarette. 3 uniformed police personnel pulled up and accused him of smoking marijuana. He insisted that he wasn't, but the officers handcuffed him, placed him on their golf cart, and drove him to a dark area along the Boca Del Rio. That's where one of the officers allegedly put a gun to his head and told him that if he didn't give them all his money, he would end up in the river. He took them to his rental apartment, and they allegedly stole $500 US.

A few days later, Constable Denfield Nelson Ramos was charged with theft, extortion, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Special Constable Orlando Mendez was also charged with Theft and extortion.

That's a serious complaint against these officers that they abused public trust, and today, the Commissioner said that the swift criminal action is a sign of his maintenance of zero-tolerance for rogue police behaviour:

Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
"Very unfortunate and regrettable incident. As I've always indicated the department we do not tolerate wrongdoing as long as it is brought to our attention we will definitely address it. In that case the matter was investigated by the CIB officers out there and they concluded after consulting with our legal officer, that we had sufficient evidence to charge and therefore those officers were charged. There is the issue of free will which you would know each individual has and they as the individual have got to decide if they will do good or do and they do bad, things like this occur and we address them and we address then swiftly."

Reporter
"Are you able to share with us because the charges came rather swiftly, how you all crack the case so quickly?"

Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
"I wasn't the investigator and so I cannot really share those kind of details, but based on what the commander informed me, I give him certain directives, he comply with those by seeking the advice of our legal advisor as well as the head of the prosecution branch and they were satisfied that we had sufficient evidence to make a case and that's we arrested and charge swiftly."

Reporter
"Is it a concern of yours that these officers it appears abused this tourist who knows very little of how our system work and so because he is an officer if the law, it appear as though he attack or struck on a victim who was helpless so to speak."

Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
"I am always concern when there are any complaint against police officers and against the department and that why I say we view them seriously and we go all out to either prove or disprove. So whether it was a tourist involved or a local, it's the same principle involved. Officers should be professional and should not be involved in these sort of allege activities."

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