A police officer found himself in court today, but rather than testifying or prosecuting, the constable was being arraigned for rape. That's because he reportedly took advantage of a woman who was being detained. The victim made a complaint to the police and today he was arraigned by the Commissioner himself who appeared as the prosecutor in front of the Chief Magistrate. We met the ComPol outside of the courthouse today and Courtney Menzies has this story.
On Thursday, a woman was arrested and detained at the Queen Street Police Station. At the time there was only one officer around - PC Derwin Marin. He was the cellblock keeper, but instead of keeping the detainee safe, PC Marin allegedly took advantage of her.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"The investigation revealed that the police officer solicited sex from her in exchange for her release. He subsequently took her outside of her cellblock where the act took place. We have secured several statements as well as video footage that supports her allegation."
"The camera would not have captured the act itself but the camera did pick up when he took her out of the cell and took her to the area where the alleged rape took place."
The allegation was so heinous that the Commissioner wasn't satisfied with him being charged - Williams himself went to court this morning to prosecute him.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I came to object to bail because we believe that the act is such that the police officer needs to remain in prison until the matter is served."
Jules Vasquez:
"Now this is a fairly mundane, straightforward prosecution, why did you feel it important to bring your office to bear on it?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Well, I guess we need to show the importance of the case. Like I said before, we have done our best to rid ourselves of those officer who constantly do things that embarrasses the department and my presence here is a strong statement that we are doing what we can to ensure that persons who are aggrieved by the actions of police that they get justice."
"The victim said that she told him that she wanted a cigarette and he even went and got a cigarette for her and the reason, according to him, why she was taken from the cellblock was to go and smoke a cigarette which again is utterly wrong so we have seen a number of breakdowns in terms of our internal policies that will be addressed likewise."
And now the ComPol is encouraging anyone with similar allegations to come forward so that they can continue to rid the department of officers who break the law.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"This is what we want that whenever we do have these allegations that people can feel free to come forward so that we can address it. Oftentimes we hear people say the police this, the police that but they're never willing to come forward to give statements and to see that she was brave enough to do so, we are grateful."
"If there's anyone who has been aggrieved by him or any other police officer in such a way then they can feel free to come forward and make a complaint."
PC Marin appeared unrepresented in court and will be back on August 12th. He has told the court that he will be getting an attorney.
