And one cop who made his own pre-emptive strike yesterday was Police
Constable Nadir Mendoza. He's facing a police tribunal verdict next
week for stealing one of the department's guns. But, he appeared on
7News last night pre-empting that verdict to say he's being railroaded
by his own department. Today, the commissioner held to his ground that
PC Mendoza has a lot to answer for:
Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police
"His alleged behaviour over the past few months have been nothing but
comparable to that of a criminal and so he is before a tribunal for having
stolen some guns from police which end up in the hands of criminals, that's
a matter for him to deal, if they adjudicator finds that he is not guilty,
I am fine with that. If the adjudicator should find that he is guilty, then
I am fine with that too, I await the decision of the adjudicator where that
matter is concerned."
Jules Vasquez
"Would you agree that one of the guns that he is accused of stealing ended
up in the hands of another police officer who was caught at the northern
border?"
Chester Williams
"Yes."
Jules Vasquez
"So then either the other officer stole it, or something else happened but
I'm saying it's not a clear cut case."
Chester Williams
"We have our document trail Jules, do we're not going to beat up about
that."
Jules Vasquez
"So, you all are clinging to the allegation that Mr. Mendoza sold that gun
and it ended up with the officer?"
Chester Williams
"That's the allegation and it's a matter for the adjudicator to decide if
he is indeed the thief."
Jules Vasquez
"Now we know, I told him this, that Mr. Mendoza appeared in the media, was
breaking the regulation that police are governed by. Will he also face a
disciplinary...."
Chester Williams
"I will give him a pass on that one, I'll be that nice."
Jules Vasquez
"Is it your hope and expectation that he continues, he changes his ways and
becomes a productive member of the police department?"
Chester Williams
"I am going to away the adjudicators decision and I'll be bound by that."
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