Attorney General challenges law on police accused of crimes

A law allowing police officers accused of a crime to avoid detention should be declared unconstitutional says  Attorney General Jose Ayú Prado.

He has petitioned the Supreme Court to declare the law passed  last year unconstitutional

It says that officers accused of a crime while on duty can avoid detention and be assigned to administrative duties until their case is resolved.

The law led to  a challenge from the National College of Lawyers. after police officers who were accused of murder in the deaths of five inmates at a juvenile detention center in January avoided being jailed.

Ayú Prado, in his opinion to the court, said the law violates the right of equality that all persons have before the law and there is no justification for the  rule because police officers should be treated like private citizens when they commit a criminal act.