And in policing news of another nature, a judgement was handed down today which should settle the legal dispute between the two deputy commissioners of police, Richard Rosado and Bart Jones.
The point is all but moot now - since Rosado has been chosen as the successor to Chester Williams - but two years ago it was a big deal when Jones challenged Rosado's promotion to Deputy in the High Court. He argued that no Deputy post was vacant at that time Rosado was promoted.
He was granted leave for judicial review and Justice Tawanda Hondora handed down his decision on this today. He found in favor of Rosado and dismissed the claim made by Jones. Hondora found that both officers had the same level of seniority but found that there was a discrepancy between the police force manual and the public service regulations.
Rosado's attorney Wayne Piper explained:
Wayne Piper, Attorney for Richard Rosado
"The summary of it all is the outcome is the claim by Bart Jones was dismissed. The court has dismissed the claim. The court has also, however, asked or directed the Security Service Commission to write to Mr. Jones within 30 days explaining the rationale for the date of his promotion on the grounds that he has a right to the reasons for that decision. But in terms of his challenge to Dr. Rosado's promotion, that claim has been entirely dismissed."
"After I think for Mr. Jones, in particular, it was a very important matter for him in his terms that he really believed that he should have been senior to Dr. Rosado based on his interpretation of the police manual."
"Our case on behalf of Dr. Rosado was, no, it's the public service regulations that have superiority in that regard. But I think the positive that would come out of this case in terms of jurisprudence in Belize is it has a healthy discussion on what constitutes legitimate expectation, whether or not Mr. Jones had a right to be consulted about a promotion of a fellow worker the judge comments on that in detail. And another thing that the judge has suggested is that the police force manual be amended to be consistent with the public service regulations."
Each side has to bear his own costs. Jones was represented by William A Lindo. The judgement can still be appealed.
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