We met the commissioner while we were at the Raccoon Street Police station to get some footage of the elections for a new police association executive.
Over 2,200 police officers with the rank of constable to sergeant were eligible to vote for the new executive. They had the choice of two slates, one led by the incumbent Corporal Eldon Arzu, the other led by Sergeant Jane Usher.
We will have the results for you by tomorrow night, but, today, we saw brisk voting at a number of police stations and precinct offices. We asked the commissioner about the integrity of the vote:
Chester Williams- Commissioner of Police
"I know that up to 2pm a total of 689 officers have casted their votes. Bear in mind that elections is for the junior rank so senior officers are not allowed to vote. Voting continues until 5 pm this evening."
Jules Vasquez- Reporter
"One of the aspirants said via his attorney that you are undermining actively his candidacy."
Chester Williams
"I have spoken to you on that matter Jules and I maintain my position that for me I remain neutral. I am not going to campaign for either side. I've also said that I have my bias, I have the persons I would prefer to see form the new central board but that is not a matter for me to decide. It's a matter for the rank and file who falls within the ambits of the central board to make that determination. In terms of ensuring that there is fair play, there is a process that governs election and that process is ongoing. We have justices of the peace who are working at the different election centers along with senior police officers to ensure that the integrity of each vote cast is maintained."
Jules Vasquez
"You have stated that you do have a preference for one of the slates. Are you prepared to live with the outcome and the mandate that the successful aspirant will have?"
Chester Williams
"Of course. The association is a creature of statute and yes it falls under the Commissioner of Police. At the end of the day, all I want Jules, is to have a police association central board that is willing to work with the Commissioner of Police in the interest of those who it represents."
We hope to have the result of the elections tomorrow.
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