A senior police officer is under investigation for an allegation of sexual misconduct. The officer in question is Assistant Commissioner of Police Noel Leal, the Department's third in command and an officer with 26 years' service. 7news has confirmed that the allegation has been made by a female who works at the Police Ministry in Belmopan. According to our information, she claims that Leal took her out for lunch in Belmopan on Friday. She says that when he was dropping her back to work, he pulled over on a deserted road where she claims he sexually assaulted her. She says that he groped her and tore her brassiere. Senior sources tell us that she tried to report it at her work on Friday but was unable to do so.
She did report it on Monday and the matter is now being investigated criminally by Superintendent Sandra Bodden - who - as we understand it - will be the new head of police internal affairs.
The complexities of investigating a senior officer are myriad, but according to our sources the complaint is being taken as a priority at the highest levels of the ministry.
Reports this evening are that charges of attempted rape and indecent assault are being contemplated and could be brought as early as tomorrow. Those reports are reliable but unconfirmed at this hour. We'll keep following it….
