Why was Sheldon Arzu Back in a Policeman’s Uniform?

But why was Sheldon Arzu back in uniform as a law enforcement officer after being convicted of manslaughter and serving thirteen years for a shooting death inside a police station? That’s the burning question posed to both Minister Musa and Commissioner of Police Williams. But first, let’s hear from the Minister of Home Affairs on why the video of Rivers’ shooting was released to the media.

 

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“I was made aware by the commissioner that there is video footage and while it is the policy of the department not to have a trial by media for every single incident that happens, I believe that it certainly warrants the media being in possession of that video.  And so I believe that the commissioner will be requesting the PSB to share that video with the media, just for transparency and clarity.”

 

Reporter

“Sir, but if you had your way, you said someone with a criminal conviction should not serve.  He should not be in the department.”

 

Kareem Musa

“Again, you will have to ask the last administration.  My opinion is that as long as I am the minister and if you bring someone with a criminal record, I don’t believe that you should be enlisted.  No.”

 

Chester Williams

“He was enlisted under the previous administration.”

 

Reporter

“But you are the commissioner, you control the enlistments.”

 

Chester Williams

“It was Minister Saldivar.  At the end of the day, I don’t want to go into the semantics of whatever because if you are a, hypothetically, a convicted murderer and someone comes to you and attacks you, is it right to say that because you are a convicted murderer, you must not do nothing?  I don’t think that should be the case.  We must look at everything based on the facts that exist.  So I’d rather leave this until the investigation is done.  Whatever PSB decides, then we’ll go by that.”

 

Reporter

“But I am just asking, you were the police commissioner when he was enlisted.  Did you look at it and say, “He was convicted for manslaughter in a police station while on the job.  I can’t do this, minister…”

 

Chester Williams

“Of course, yes, at that particular time he was enlisted as a special constable with the tourism police unit and then subsequently, the minister had requested that he be given a regulation number.  Obviously, I would oppose it and I don’t want to…”

 

Reporter

“Did you oppose it?”

 

Chester Williams

“Of course I did, but I don’t want to go into too much details of that, but I’ll say to you that I opposed it.”