Last week we told you that a police constable accused the commissioner of police of transferring him out of "malice" because he had specific knowledge about high ranking individuals' involvement in the Joseph Budna case. The officer - who has an MBA - was transferred outside of the transfer period from GI3 to the Mahogany Heights station.
His attorney says that's clearly "Malice, Abuse of Power, and Illegality."
Today when we asked the new Minister of Home Affairs, he said that police officers are transferred all the time and that it's just part of the job. Here's how he put it.
Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs
"I think that transfers for a police officers is done every year. There is nothing for me to question the commissioner of police's, transfer policy. I, I have looked at it and, I think that, police officers are transferable. There is a time when the majority of the police officers are transferred and the letters of intention of transfers are sent. However, for the work of the police department, transfers can happen any time."
Courtney Menzies:
"But are you not concerned that this officer believes that he is being targeted because he may have information or know something about the Budna case?"
Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs
"I don't know that he may have been part of an investigation. I know that he was working at the ministry. And as such, when the previous minister moved, then he had to move because then he had no job there at the ministry anymore, he was working with the previous minister. So therefore, transfers happen all the time. I haven't spoken to the Commissioner of Police yet because he was out of the country. He came in on the, on the weekend. But I am meeting with him this afternoon to discuss that, just to make sure that everything was done as per regulations in the police department. I don't believe there's any targeting at this point. I think that just a routine transfer that happened since he was at the ministry and minister Musa was no longer dear."
Courtney Menzies:
"His attorney has written and asked that the transfer be rescinded, I believe by Friday that just went. Obviously that's not happening, but are you concerned that they may go into a legal battle?"
Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs
"I spoke to the acting Commissioner of police last week and they are prepared to defend that decision that was made by the Commissioner of Police, as I was told he they have all the documents in place. As I said, if you're in the police department, you can expect to be transferred at any time."
