For the sake of the lesson, we will assume that the DV complaint against the officer is proven in all parts, including those involving his weapon, so just accept that for now. The assignment you have been given is to investigate the actions of the police station that first took the report. What do you do, who do you talk to, what tone do you take?
Monday, August 11, 2008
Woman injured in head during fight with cop
A WOMAN accused a policeman of pistol-whipping her and threatening her with a gunshot last Thursday.
Ethel Mae Maraon, 38, filed a complaint before the City Internal Affairs Service saying a policeman assigned at the Compact Police Station in front of the Cebu City Hall assaulted her.
Maraon said PO2 Ramil Labus pointed his pistol at her and hit her in the head.
Labus is the brother of Maraon’s live-in partner, Hubert.
Maraon, who paid a visit to the Sun.Star Cebu newsroom Friday, said she and Labus did not get along well. They lived in the same house.
Maraon said they had domestic squabbles with Labus but it was the first time he turned violent.
Maraon said that when Labus arrived, he allegedly pointed his pistol at her and hit her with it.
With her head bleeding, he allegedly brought the firearm close to her head and aimed at the wall. Maraon said the shot rang in her ears and that she was terrified because the gun was so close to her face.
Still bleeding, Maraon crossed the street to the nearby Guadalupe Police Station to report the incident.
But they reportedly did not go back to the house with her and only recorded her complaint of grave threats and serious physical injuries in their blotter.
Maraon said that when she returned to the house, Labus had already cleaned up the place. Maraon said the empty shell from the pistol and a damaged pair of jeans as a result of the shooting were already missing.
“He wanted to make it appear that I purposely hit my head on the wall. Why would I do that?†Maraon said.
She said she went to a hospital to have her wound treated.
Labus could not be reached for comment as he was not on duty when Sun.Star called.
Maraon said Hubert was willing to stand as witness in her complaint
Monday, August 11, 2008
Woman injured in head during fight with cop
A WOMAN accused a policeman of pistol-whipping her and threatening her with a gunshot last Thursday.
Ethel Mae Maraon, 38, filed a complaint before the City Internal Affairs Service saying a policeman assigned at the Compact Police Station in front of the Cebu City Hall assaulted her.
Maraon said PO2 Ramil Labus pointed his pistol at her and hit her in the head.
Labus is the brother of Maraon’s live-in partner, Hubert.
Maraon, who paid a visit to the Sun.Star Cebu newsroom Friday, said she and Labus did not get along well. They lived in the same house.
Maraon said they had domestic squabbles with Labus but it was the first time he turned violent.
Maraon said that when Labus arrived, he allegedly pointed his pistol at her and hit her with it.
With her head bleeding, he allegedly brought the firearm close to her head and aimed at the wall. Maraon said the shot rang in her ears and that she was terrified because the gun was so close to her face.
Still bleeding, Maraon crossed the street to the nearby Guadalupe Police Station to report the incident.
But they reportedly did not go back to the house with her and only recorded her complaint of grave threats and serious physical injuries in their blotter.
Maraon said that when she returned to the house, Labus had already cleaned up the place. Maraon said the empty shell from the pistol and a damaged pair of jeans as a result of the shooting were already missing.
“He wanted to make it appear that I purposely hit my head on the wall. Why would I do that?†Maraon said.
She said she went to a hospital to have her wound treated.
Labus could not be reached for comment as he was not on duty when Sun.Star called.
Maraon said Hubert was willing to stand as witness in her complaint
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