But that possibility is not why former COST Commander and creator ACP Marco Vidal could be facing administrative leave.
Today, the Commissioner said that he is being investigated for administrative irregularities with that team - which we argued, could not have happened without the COMPOL's knowledge and acquiescence. Here's that back and forth:
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"He is still on leave. I think his leave would end on the sixth of December and by then we should [have] already approached the [Security] Services Commission for his suspension to take effect as the leave comes to an end."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Sir, is this something that concerns you? We know that whenever these officers spend a career in intelligence as Mr. Vidal has spent much of his career in intelligence, they know everybody's secret. Is it a concern for you that a once very loyal and trusted person is someone whose suspension and really, we have to be honest, the wreckage of this man's distinguished career is before you right now and you are seeing that and this man knows sovereign level secrets. Is this something that concerns you?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"It does not concern me if there is something I need to do to be able to get things right or resolve an issue, then it is my duty to do it."
Jules Vasquez, reporter "But you fought me on that, I ask you that firstly at training academy and you said that he does not have to be suspended. You made a false about so and so..."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Its because of how you tried to ask things. While yes, there is a move to suspend, it will be based on administrative failures. The investigation so far has not unearthed anything to suggest that Mr. Vidal was involved or in cahoots with those persons. But yes, we have seen where, as the Commander of Operations and the person who was in charge of the COST team, that he could have done certain things to prevent what happened and he did not. So administratively, he will be held accountable for those."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Would the administrative against Mr. Vidal include allowing members of his team to use what may be unsanctioned vehicles?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Yes."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"So these are the vehicles that were impounded, but did not go through the regular process and were taken as assets of the COST?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Yes."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"But Mr. Vidal had to know about that, sir."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Like I said its a part of the administrative issues."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"He had to authorize that."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"By right he should have and he would not have the authority to authorize it."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Is this not a culture of impunity that he fostered and that you facilitated by always turning your head in the other direction."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Here you come with your fool again, Jules."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"What else can we conclude?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"You cannot tell me I facilitated nothing. We have dealt with this before, but it seems like you are just so adamant of trying to impute nonsense. I am not going to have it with you today."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Would you say though, suggest that somebody - if you can take somebody else' property without the legal procedures, sir you are operating with impunity. That is with no regard for the law."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Have I not said just now that's it's a part of the internal investigation?"
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"But then it is indicative of the fact that this is a rogue unit and it happened under your watch and this man is at the apex of the law enforcement, he is the tip of the spear."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"What else you want me to say. I have said to you..."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"I want you to say that you facilitated, you empowered and enabled him."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I am here facilitating you to ask me stupidness."
