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Cop Charged for Shooting Man in Head gets Promoted
posted (September 12, 2019)

Inspector Dennis Lopez: He was charged with attempted murder and dangerous harm in the June 2010 shooting of city resident Stephen Buckley. Buckley was wrongfully shot in the head. Fast forward 10 years later, Lopez still hasn't gotten his trial date in that case but he what he is getting is a promotion to Deputy Commander in Corozal. Williams discussed the overall police shuffle in the north specifically Lopez's appointment.

Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police
"My good friend Mr. Luis Casteanos Senior Superintended will be retiring this month. So he goes off on leave on the 25th of September and so there must be that transition with the person who succeeds him. Ms. Moody next Senior Superintendent in the area, she will be taking over from Mr. Casteanos and so over the past month, she has been under studying Mr. Casteanos with a view to ensure that they have a smooth transition and then we have Mr. John Sanchez, who recently got promoted to Superintendent. He assumes command as officer commanding Corozal and likewise, he has been understudying Ms. Moody for the past month and again with a view to ensure that smooth transition, and we know Mr. Victor was recently transferred to Ladyville and Mr. Lopez remain as the Deputy Officer commanding Corozal. And so, that's the transition we're seeing within the next few days were Mr. Cas goes off and Ms. Moody takes over from him and Mr. Sanchez takes over from Ms. Moody. Orange Walk formation remains the same with Mr. Cocum as the OC and Mr. Ray as his deputy."

Reporter
"At least one of those appointments will raise some controversy, inspector Dennis Lopez was charged in the past for an incident with a Belize City resident - that's a matter that has not been cleared up in court but yet we know that he is basically receiving a promotion under your command. What do you respond in terms of the critics?"

Chester Williams
"I don't see why that will cause a controversy. Mr. Lopez has not been convicted in the court of law. He has been out there on interdiction for over 10 years, which is totally wrong and because of the fact that the matter has not yet been tried and he has been out there left collecting a salary doing nothing, so he was brought back to work and if is the matter is tried and he is convicted, then we move from there. Until then, he is as guilty as any ordinary person."




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