Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado has publicly reaffirmed his confidence in the ongoing investigation into the August kidnapping of Joseph Budna, despite mounting criticism over the handling of the case. During a recent press briefing, Rosado steadfastly refused to address specific allegations while maintaining the professionalism of his department.
The controversy stems from November remarks by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who characterized the police submission as a “less than nothing file” regarding the Budna case. When pressed on this assessment, Rosado offered a carefully measured response: “I maintain that someone is entitled to their perspective of something, and I will not comment on somebody’s perspective of something. I have full confidence in the integrity of the investigative process and in the professional capacity of the investigators.”
Attention has also focused on the status of Police Officer Barry Flowers, who remains on full pay despite being placed on his second interdiction during the investigation. Commissioner Rosado clarified departmental policy: “It is the policy of the department that an individual is suspended while an investigation is ongoing. If a police officer is arrested and charged, they automatically go into interdiction. We are abiding by the policies of the department.”
Regarding allegations that other officers faced pressure to provide false statements, Rosado declined to comment directly but issued an appeal: “I encourage any police officer with information of evidential value to come forward and speak to investigators so we can continue the ongoing investigation.”
Notably, the Commissioner refused to confirm whether a criminal act had actually occurred on August 22nd, the date referenced in the kidnapping case, leaving fundamental questions about the incident unanswered as the investigation extends into its fifth month.