JACK

Governor of The Cayman Islands Stuart Jack is seeking to allay fears that policing could be weakened in the territory following the decision to send three members of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service on forced leave.

Last month, the governor announced that police chief Stuart Kernohan; deputy commissioner Rudolph Dixon and detective chief superintendent John Jones were sent on leave, pending the outcome of a probe by a team from Scotland Yard.

Speaking to The Gleaner yesterday, the governor repeated an earlier claim that the decision to send the three on leave was not an indication that they were suspected of wrongdoing.

"In due course, it will become clear one way or the other ... but at the moment, for good reason, you just have to trust me, I can't tell you."

Received support

Governor Jack said the decision to send the three on leave received support from members of the force, the business community and political leaders.

He said measures have been put in place to ensure that the territory is properly policed while the three high-ranking members are off the job.

"Not only are we serious about integrity, we are serious about continuing to police properly."

He added: "We are very determined that this should not be an opportunity for criminals from anywhere to take advantage of it and so far they have not," the governor added.

Jack disclosed that another British police officer, David George, has been brought in to act as police commissioner while the probe continues.

According to the governor, the three senior officers would remain on leave until Scotland Yard team completes its investigation.

The Scotland Yard team was initially dispatched to The Cayman Islands to investigate claims that the police leaked confidential information to the Cayman Net News entity.