Meanwhile, the Prime Minister sees no problem with the relationship between Minister Chebat and Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado. However, not everyone agrees. Questions about their association have lingered since Chebat’s appointment, with critics raising concerns that it could blur the lines between politics and policing, at a time when public scrutiny over the independence of the Police Department remains high. News Five put those concerns to Chebat. Here is what he said.
Shane Williams
“Now we’ve all heard the rumors and the conclusion about your relationship with the commissioner of police. some describe it as an inappropriate relationship, and saying that he’s a member of your constituency committee.”
Michel Chebat
Michel Chebat, Minister of National Security
“Right. Well, one person describes it as, as that. And, and that is far from the truth. Um, recall that I practiced law for about 27 years before entering into the political arena, and I used to have an office in Saint Ignacio. Back then, I think this would’ve been around 2015, 2016, if I’m not mistaken, when the then Compol was the officer in charge of Saint Ignacio. And so from then, of course, during the course of my business, I had to liaise with him and developed a relationship with him, a very professional relationship with him. And what’s that relationship like now? I think it’s a good relationship. I think we work well together. The Compol is a very knowledgeable, policeman, and I think that he brings good direction to the ministry. Of course, from the government’s point of view, we have a direction that we love to see the police department follow. And so I think my job really is to make sure that, um, there are synergies between us.”
The UDP Cayo representatives claim Commissioner Rosado, who votes in the Cayo North division, issued his proxy slip to a political agent of the People’s United Party in the 2025 General Election, an allegation the Commissioner has not responded to.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
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