Police Explain Why no Independent Investigation in Budna Case

The investigation into the alleged abduction of Joseph Budna is now being led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Suzette Anderson and that’s raising some eyebrows. Many are questioning why there’s still no move for an independent investigation, especially since police officers are implicated. Acting Commissioner Bart Jones told us today that it’s not unusual for police to handle cases involving their own. We also asked him about the video footage of the incident, will the public get to see it? Here’s what he had to say.

 

Bart Jones, Acting Commissioner of Police 

“From the police department, we can only instruct police officers. We can’t instruct independent persons to conduct investigations.”

 

Reporter

“But you could have recommended that there be an independent one given that they’re implicating police officers.”

 

Bart Jones

“But one, one may say that, but you can also look at the fact that, there are many times that police officers go wrong, do a foul of the law and police officers investigate and charge. So this is nothing new. Police officers investigate and police officers charge. There are police officers who are before the courts right now who are charged by police officers, and they were no independent investigation. There have been unfortunate circumstances where persons would’ve died in custody. Police officers have been held liable and we’ve had them arrested by police officers.”

 

Reporter

“But in this case, there’s an allegation and an accusation that it goes all the way up top to the commissioner of police.”

 

Bart Jones

“I can’t speak to the allegations. There are allegations running all around and in fact there were allegations that were circulating on social media yesterday that Dr. Rosado was in Bella Vista and when he was not. I would not speak to the allegations, but we look to the end of the investigation and see where it goes?”

 

Reporter

“How about the fact that the police is being accused of deleting video footage of the kidnapping from the different government departments where that kidnapping occurred?”

 

Bart Jones

“In relation to this investigation, no stones will be left unturned, and so we will see where it lies.”

 

Reporter

“Do you, in your opinion, believe that the footage unrated unedited of the kidnapping should be released as your minister of police believe should be done?”

 

Bart Jones

“I wouldn’t want to speak to that. Let’s see what happens at the end of the investigation.”

 

Reporter

“Do you, as commissioner of police, believe that if officers acted ultra virus the law that they should be held accountable and punished to the full extent of the law.”

 

Bart Jones

“Of course, if this incident that police officers are involved and any other case that police officers are involved in anything, that they should face the law just as anybody else.”