Acting Commissioner of Police Colin John says the scandal in which he is accused of having an inappropriate, extremely sexually suggestive conversation with an officer of junior rank was “blown out of proportion”.
He made the comment in a call to Boom FM on Monday, during which he said he was sticking to the comments he made to the print media last week and would like to focus his attention on “what I will regard as more important things”.
The Police Welfare Association has told iWitness News that they could meet this week to discuss a letter in which a sergeant of police complained about interaction between his wife, a police constable, and the police chief, who is also married.
The sergeant, in his letter, gave the police chief seven days in which to respond to the allegation.
In his call to the radio station on Monday, John said:
“I really would have preferred not to be on air, but, out of respect for your station, I said I would just call.
“I made certain comments to the printed media last week and I am really prepared to stick by that, I do not wish to go any further. I have what I will regard as more important things to do, which is the security of the nation and I would really prefer to concentrate on that instead of having to deal with this issue because it is blown out of proportion as far as I am concerned.
“It is something that I have to deal with but I would really prefer to occupy my time doing what I am paid to do, instead of dealing with personal issues and personal allegations. So that’s all I am willing to say.”
John rebuffed questions about the development saying that he was sticking to his initial comments.
However, when asked if he thought he acted professionally and what steps he would have taken had such allegations been made against another officer, the police chief said:
“Well, like I said, they are just allegations. The newspaper printed my response to it. I would not be drawn into making any other comments as regards that. In all circumstances, I think I acted in a professional manner and that’s all I am prepared to say at this moment.”
On Sunday, Searchlight newspaper posted a series of screenshots that it said are from a WhatsApp conversation between the police chief and the female officer over a three-month period.
The formatting of the conversation shows that the screenshots were from the police chief’s phone, but it is not clear how the newspaper “obtained” the 44 screenshots –as it reported.
It has been reported elsewhere in the media that the police woman has accused the police chief of sexual assault, but iWitness News is not clear on whether that allegation was in fact made and where the alleged assault reportedly happened.
However, the screenshots — said to have reflected a conversation that took place over three months — suggest that the policewoman actively pursued her boss and, at times, accused him of ignoring her.
In one part of the message the duo plans to get together, and the police chief said such a meeting could take place at a house.
The screenshots do not give an indication of whether this meet-up actually took place.
The conversation also reveals that the woman and her husband are having marital problems for which they were undergoing counselling.
On one occasion, when the woman told John that she was not hearing from him, he reminded her that she was in marriage counselling and encouraged her to focus on her marriage.
He, however, sought to assure her that if things did not work out between she and her husband, he (John) and she could have a future together.
Do all officers of the force have the COP’s personal cell number? Another thing where did she meet her husband wasn’t he, her instructor in training school? This young lady presumably just has a thing for men in high ranks, so these are two questions that needs to be looked at. This things have been happening in police forces throughout the region in case the public didn’t know.
I do not have the “moral authority” to comment on this issue. Therefore, I am keeping a “dignified silence” because the “labor of love” will see me through.
On another note, remember the story of David and Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah?
FRATERNIZING – BAD FOR ORGANIZATIONAL DISCIPLINE
A scandal of this nature, particularly, ‘…fraternizing with a female subordinate to him,’ had
always posed danger to superiors, including Commissioners.
Such has always been seen as ‘…Bad for Organizational Discipline.’
Lest his career and tenure are ‘…allowed to be broken up into pieces,’ this Commissioner
may have advised himself or prudently take advice from an attorney to ‘…hold his peace.’
Yes,he is human,but responsible men/women ‘…shall be discrete in their behavior,’ particularly
in holding ‘…high visibility public office.’Such office is said to be ‘…public trust.’
Former Guyana ‘…Police Commissioner Henry Greene’ was forced to retire under public and Women’s rights group pressure for ‘…an allegation of rape’ [Stabroek News: April 20, 2012].
He fortuitously escaped criminal prosecution for ‘…Rape and Misbehavior in Public office.’
Sure that Commissioner John could weather the storm and swim his way to shore.
1. The Chief engaged in conversation at 2am
2. The chief stated that he would have gotten a house for a rendezvous with a subordinate
3. He actively participated in a sexual conversation by asking ‘ which position you like’ with a subordinate….yet he thought he was being ‘professional’?
Any possibility for investigation as to the legal or illegal aspect of what appears to be a personal issue; can no longer be dwelt with at a professional level, considering that the Searchlight paper has been provided and posted the alleged “series of screenshots that it said are from a WhatsApp conversation between the police chief and the female officer.”
How did the paper obtain what should be personal information while the matter is yet to reach professional mediation? Definitely have been “blown out of proportion” and should therefore tossed out at this point so our senior Officers can get back to focus their attention on more critical business of our Nation.
According to what you say, we should never investigate such accusations because the officials have to concentrate on thier jobs. You should realize that the public bestows a certain trust in these officials and when they betray that trust they are NOT doing thier job so we should investigate these matters, not just pay no attention as you say. You are enabling corruption. I am sure corrupt government officials would love it if you were a judge.
The commissioned certainly stepped over the line with his words although he did not yet get so far physically. If our PM can sue citizens for millions for thier words, should we not also have other officials accountable? Or is it just regular citizens that should pay millions and officials get off free?
Or, should we make officials MORE accountable to the law than regular citizens like it is in many other countries instead of holding them to lower standards of conduct as it presently is in Saint Vincent?
“tough on crime”…except when it involves the “chosen ones”.
Let’s be realistic here. When the content that are to be investigated by our professionals (senior legal team) are already published within the Island’s major newspaper, what is there to be investigated when it has already been “blown out of proportion” within the public arena, polluted, releasing the senior Officers to get back to focusing their attention on more critical business of our Nation?
Elma you are sick and a disgrace to womanhood.
Let’s be realistic here. When the content that are to be investigated by our professionals (senior legal team) are already published within the Island’s major newspaper, what is there to be investigated when it has already been “blown out of proportion” within the public arena, polluted, releasing the senior Officers to get back to focusing their attention on more critical business of our Nation?
No better the beef o better the barrel. Both of them have violated the apparent sancity of their marriage.
The woman is a crazy tramp. As one poster said, she likes men of rank. Also, she does not care whom she brings down. Men, be careful. This is not love, but lust.
For a chief of police to be involved is such matters is simply not good enough and he should resign or be sacked. This is not something that happened in their private lives, this was going on at work, sack them both.
The same as a head of state being accused of sex crimes and never facing the court, this man will simply get away with this matter because of the support of those in other places who have done far worse.