Officers and their False Statements

Chester Williams

But even scarier is the fact that Officer Morales appears to have blatantly lied in his statement about what transpired on the night of the fatal shooting. Were it not for the surveillance footage that statement would have been the basis for the investigation – a misrepresentation of the facts of the incident.  Viewers may recall that in that leaked document, PC Morales claimed that the joint foot patrol was basically under attack and that led to the fatal shooting. The video however showed that the deceased was unarmed and carried only a cup in his hand. This supports the distrust and lack of confidence that residents have had in law enforcement, so ComPol Chester Williams was asked about what this means for him.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Thank God we have video now. Police officers are told this every time you know. Everything we do in public, it is being watched. And if it is that you know that you are being watched and you still display a conduct, then it is on you. Yes, in terms of the statement that I see circulating is not signed so in terms of authenticity it is an issue. But let me say that it is somewhat consistent with the signed one. And so the fact that the officer lied in that statement, it is something that we are also looking at internally because under our disciplinary rules, it would fall under an act of prejudice to good order and discipline as well.”

Duane Moody

“Will this be grounds for him to be taken out of the police department?”

Chester Williams

“Of course he will be interdicted after being charged, yes. We need it to be made loud and clear that once we find out that they lie in a statement, an official statement that forms part of an investigation, that they will be dealt with. And hopefully that is going to serve as deterrence to others who may want to do the same.”