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It is a major breakdown in protocol given the conflict of interest. The inspector in question was not even supposed to be there. Today, Head of NCIB Joseph Myvette and Commissioner of Police told us more about this curious case and what disciplinary measures will be taken against the inspector and his accomplice.

ACP Joseph Myvette, Head, NCIB
"On yesterday's date while coast guard were part of the operation they handed over to police 3 detained persons from their base over at Long Caye which is a short distance from Cross Caye. Those person were then brought unto Cross Caye by the police and in so doing, one of those persons who were considered to be the main suspect concerning Derrick Ramirez's missing was removed from the other two prisoners by two police officers being an inspector and a constable to conduct a field interview as a result, those officers did return to the team a few minutes later indicating that that person who they had taken, one Oscar Williams Jr. has escaped from them. So as a result of that he too is being searched for."

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"There are several discrepancies we are seeing in terms of the conduct of the police and may I say as well that the inspector in question who took Oscar Williams from the other officers and where the other detainees were is the brother of missing Ramirez and so there is a clear conflict of interest where that is concerned and as far as we are concerned administratively, the inspector should not have been part of that investigative team knowing that his brother was the one who was missing and these suspects reportedly may have been involved in the killing of his brother, nonetheless he was part of the team and they venture into something that is totally contrary to administrative policies. I must say we can't understand how a prisoner can escape from police on an island and from what we have been briefed is that the prisoner was handcuffed and more so how can a handcuffed prisoner escape from two police on an island and they could not find him. I do not understand that and so there are many discrepancies in their story, many red flag so we are dealing with this investigation very seriously. The inspector and the constable are detained and being interviewed just like any ordinary prisoners. And if it is that at the end of their 48 hours, we are unable to unearth any evidence to charge them criminally with anything, they will be dealt with internally in the interim. I have directed that the inspector be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of criminal and internal investigation and internally we are looking at allowing a prisoner to escape from lawful custody and two bring the department into disrepute. The constable has been placed on disciplinary charges for those charges as well."

"We want to say to the public that as a department we are not perfect, we do have officers who operate on a frolic of their own but once they are identified we will ensure that we do what needs to be done to either get rid of them or have them disciplined."

Reporter:
"So sir you would agree from what you explained just now that the public perception would be that these police officers intentionally assisted Mr. Williams in escaping?"

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I don't know if they assisted him in escaping, I am thinking something worse than escaping but I am not going to cast any aspersions at this point I will wait and see where the investigation goes. Our interest right now is to find Mr. Williams and I hope by the grace of God that he is alive because if he is not then those officers will have some serious questions to answer."

The other officers on the Caye at the time of the alleged escape are cooperating with police and have submitted reports - all except the one officer who was with the inspector when Williams allegedly got away.

Now to Derrick Ramirez's case, Compol Williams says there isn't much clarity in his disappearance either. Here are his comments.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"There are many things that do not add up where that investigation is concerned and I have expressed those concerns to the investigators, I have a serious issue with the fact that the incident allegedly occurred on Sunday and police did not know about until Tuesday, 48 hours later. If you had gone to sea with some friends, more so relatives and one of them would have gone missing, you would want to ensure that you inform the authorities as early as possible so the appropriate search can be conducted to find a relative and in this case that was not done and so I don't want to speculate but those persons who were with Ramirez at the time they too have to be looked at as possible suspects."

The police and coast guard are working together to try and locate both Ramirez and the main suspect Oscar Williams Jr.