Police Association elections coming up; ComPol says he is neutral

Published by BBN Staff at May 24, 2020

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Posted: Sunday, May 24, 2020. 9:07 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: Former President of the Police Association, Corporal Eldon Arzu, is offering himself for the top post once again.

Considering that he is presently engaged in a lawsuit against his boss, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, concerning his transfer after being elected previously, can the Commissioner stay neutral in the upcoming election, in which a slate led by Sergeant of Police, Jane Usher, is challenging Corporal Arzu?

He insists he can, and he will. “I don’t know how to have a bitter relationship with nobody. I am a happy person. I envy nobody. I don’t hold [a] grudge; I don’t hold malice. Mr Arzu is a serving member of the police department. He can offer himself for elections to be a member of the police association and if the rank and file of the department so choose to elect him in that association then the law is that he must serve.”

Williams added that he would not tolerate “fabrication” by either side and insist that an “honest message” go out to the rank and file. Those eventually elected, he said, would be working with him on key issues affecting the Department and welfare of its members.

One critical area is the performance of the Police Department’s Trust Fund and Reward Fund, used separately for the welfare of officers and to pay out rewards for community participation and acts of valour by officers. As of Friday, Williams said he would publish the completed audits of those funds through senior officer Calbert Flowers to ensure transparency – how much is there and how much was spent over the past year.

Notably, Arzu had challenged his boss on this issue prior to the transfer.

The election is set for mid-June.

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