Police Tribunal Dismisses Assault Complaint Against Constable Elvin Eck; Criminal Charges Pending

A police tribunal has dismissed a complaint of assault made by a female police officer against Constable Elvin Eck. The female officer reported that she and Eck were among a group that went on a recreational trip to Hopkins in May, and on the way back to Belmopan they stopped off at Eck’s home. She said that while there, Eck pulled her out of the vehicle by her hair and punched her in the face several times. While the tribunal dismissed the complaint, Eck still faces criminal charges in connection with the incident. Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa says he has directed Police Commissioner Chester Williams to look into the matter because he believes it is unacceptable that the officer’s complaint was dismissed.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs: “That is very very disheartening to hear. I don’t know the specifics of what took place at the tribunal. I’ve been made aware that the trial, the criminal trial is still before the courts and so we look forward to the outcome of that. I have asked the Commissioner of Police to look into what exactly took place at the tribunal because I heard that there were considerations being made of the fact that the officer might have paid her hospital bill that is not acceptable. That is not grounds to dismiss a case, the case must go on and so the Commissioner of Police is looking into that matter and like I said there’s still the court case that is pending I believe in October.”

The incident has reportedly left the female officer traumatized and she has been accessing counseling services through the department.