AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Caye Caulker Lady Cop Accused Of Extorting Money & Margarita's

36 year-old Woman Police Officer Jenny Tanner, a resident of Caye Caulker, is out on bail tonight after a Canadian National accused her of extortion.

According to police, Christopher John Graham, a dive master reported that on December 11, 2012, he was driving an overcrowded golf cart on Caye Caulker when he was stopped by Tanner, and asked to produce his driver's license.

He said that when he told her that he had none, Tanner told him if he paid her $100 and bought her two Margarita's, she would not charge him for any wrong doings. Graham said that he agreed and gave her $100, and he then took her to a nearby restaurant and bought her the 2 drinks.

After doing so, he went and reported the matter to police, and requested court action against the officer. Police investigated the report, and they charged tanner with extortion. She was arraigned today before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith.

She pleaded not guilty, and was granted bail of $2,000, which she was able to meet. She must return to court on February 28.

Channel 7

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Cop extorts tourist on golf cart

A Tourism Police Officer stationed in Caye Caulker is out on bail tonight after she was charged with a single count of extortion for an incident which occurred in December, 2012. Jennie Tanner has been on interdiction since December, after Canadian Dive Master Christopher John Graham alleged that he was shaken down for a hundred dollars and two margaritas. Graham reported that on December eleventh he was driving a golf cart on the island when he was approached by Tanner. He could not produce a driver's license when it was requested, and Graham then claims that Tanner told him that he would not be charged for the offense, on the condition that he hand over one hundred dollars and buy her two drinks. Graham says he complied, but immediately after reported the incident to the Police Station on the island, causing Tanner to be placed on interdiction pending police investigation. That police investigation led to the criminal charge of extortion when Tanner appeared unrepresented before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith this morning. She pled not guilty, and because there was no objection by the Police prosecutor she was granted bail in the sum of two thousand dollars. Tanner was ordered to pay five hundred immediately, and offer a signed surety for the balance. She did, and was free to go. Tanner is due back in court on February twenty-eighth.

Channel 5

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A tourism police officer Jenny Tanner, 36, is out on bail after a formal arraignment of extortion today in the Belize City Magistrate's Court. Tanner has pleaded not guilty to the charge and Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith offered her bail in the amount of BZ$2,000 on condition that she stays away from the complainant. According to court reports, Tanner's trouble started on December 11, 2012, when she busted a Canadian national without a driver's license in Caye Caulker village. It is alleged that when the man, identified as Christopher John Graham could not produce his driver's license, officer Tanner made an offer not to arrest and charge Graham if he would give her $100 and buy her two margaritas. Graham says he complied with the officer's requests, giving her two $50 notes and then taking her to a nearby restaurant where he purchased the two margaritas. Afterwards, Graham reported the matter to the Caye Caulker police station and Tanner was investigated. Another part of Tanner's bail condition is that she must report to the Caye Caulker police station every Monday. Tanner will reappear in the Magistrate's Court for trial on February 28.

LOVEFM

from a friend.....

It is an embarrassment. However, the complainant is to be commended. Many times over persons just resort to paying these unlawful request from police officers thereby compounding the problem. Persons would sometimes resort to postings on the various social media sites, however; little can be done is no official report is made. We can only hope that the complainant will follow up on this case to its conclusion.

While not suggesting a justification for this type of behavior, I must say that over the years I have seen that San Pedro and Caye Caulker seem conducive to this type of police illegal behavior. One reason is that many person on these islands, and let me make clear that I am not suggesting the residence are all into illegal activities, often engage in minor offenses, such as the one in the story, which attacks dishonest police officers.

Now is a good time for the department to revisit its transfer policy particularly where San Pedro Caye Caulker and Placencia are concern. Such policy should include quicker turn over of police officers from these sub-formations. This, I my view would greatly lessen these types of activities. However, the policy must be strictly adhered to. While we would hear of stories officer getting immediate transfers from certain places, there are many instances where officers are granted transfer letters, which would later be canceled at the petition of members in certain communities.

Getting more and more like Chicago.....

Whats up with the cops charging tourist $150, to write up theft reports. This is now being done here.

it´s like in mexico city and many other areas in the world. that makes it not more acceptable but more comprehensible.
Give the cops a proper salary and acceptation - than things may be went into better.

Check with the chief. They're not supposed to charge for taking reports or, if their policy changed, they certainly didn't advertise it anywhere. My PD contact say's it's wrong.

If you know someone like that be sure to report it as was done by the guy in the golf cart with the lady officer.
Tourists and villagers often don't which is why the problem is growing.