Officer investigated after murder suspects released

A POLICE officer in Popondetta has been investigated for releasing two murder suspects after allegedly being bribed by relatives, says Northern police commander Chief Inspector Lincoln Gerari.
He told The National that the officer would be charged with alleged corruption.
Gerari said the officer allegedly received K2000 from the relatives of two murder suspects who had been recaptured by police.
“After receiving money from the relatives, the police officer released the two suspects. But our men were able to apprehend them and they are now behind bars again,” he said.
“This and many other similar cases have been a concern in Popondetta.”
He said the officer was being questioned and would be charged too.
He expressed concerned about Communication-Based Correction (CBC) officers carrying out regular police duties despite not being properly trained.
Gerari has closed down the unit which had been recruiting reserve officers.
“I don’t see CBC as a legal unit because they are not part of the police as reservists or auxiliary,” he said.
“It is illegal to engage people who are not properly trained to do police work. We have also received reports of CBC officers being involved in releasing suspects being locked up for various reasons.
“If they are not properly trained, then they should not be working in this field especially dealing with criminals and suspects,” Gerari said.
He said the unit would remain closed until properly trained officers were engaged.