But, back to Vidal's suspension, we also asked the Commissioner of Police about it today. He refrained from giving too much details about the investigation which led to the suspension, but said that it had to do with things he failed to do as head of the COST team. And while Vidal keeps his salary, he's had to give up some of his benefits.
The ComPol explained the process that he will now undergo.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Mr. Vidal, as been reported in the media, has carried on 60 days suspension in the first instance. It has to do with administrate issues and we believe that as the commander of operations, there are certain things that administratively he failed to have done in managing the COST team. I am not going to go into much details with that. The matter is currently with the commission, not fully because what happens next is that the commissioner, myself, will submit to the CEO the files and everything we have. Then the CEO is going to write to a show cause letter to Mr. Vidal asking him to explain, in light of these allegations, why he should not be discipline and will give him time to respond. Mr. Vidal will respond either by himself or through his attorney through
his allegations outlines in the show cause letter. Based on that, if he exonerates himself by his response, then the matter ends there. if he does not exonerate himself and it is believed that there is evidence to take him before the commission on assonated charges, then the matter goes before the commission and it is heard there and the decision determines the outcome."
Reporter
"Does his salary, his benefits and his rank remain intact?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Yes under the public service constitution regulations, it does not provide, for suspensions to be with half pay or without pay. It provides for full pay and I must say however that his allowances have stopped except the housing allowance. His entitlement to a vehicle have also came to an end. That vehicle got handed in on Monday while he is on suspension."
