And so while today we interviewed the Prime Minister and the Public Service Minister for a respectable 30 minutes each - yesterday - we got only 12 minutes from the embattled Oscar Mira about 3 minutes from ComPol Rosado.
And while we had many more questions for them, we were stopped by staff officer ASP Stacy Smith. She usually handles the briefings but yesterday, after receiving her medal, she stood at Mira and Rosado's side like a security guard, cutting us off with Mira and stepping in for the ComPol. Here's how that went.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"I think that is a good part to conclude. Remember we are here today for the medal ceremony. We are waiting the officers who received their awards are waiting for the reception and the longer you take, some of them have to travel back to..."
Courtney Menzies:
"But ComPol will you grace us with your presence in an interview? I understand you promised one of reporters yesterday that you would speak to us today."
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"You guys were long winded, maybe two questions."
Reporter:
"That was literally ten minutes."
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"That is ten long minutes, remember we have officers coming all the way from Punta Gorda that need to go back. So two questions."
Courtney Menzies:
"Two questions plus a question about the event and can you talk to us about the missing persons currently..."
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"That's two questions."
Reporter:
"I defer my questions to her."
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"No, two questions overall so one two. So questions in relation to the medal ceremony because as I said, this is a day for officers, the least amount of time someone spent in the police department out here is 18 years. I was the youngest on the parade square by the way."
Reporter:
"And you looked good."
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"But just one more question because officers are waiting for the commissioner, in relation to the ceremony."
Courtney Menzies:
"Yes ma'am."
