Quito, July 04 (teleSUR-RHC) The Ecuadorean Interior Minister Jose Serrano announced on Friday that the head of the national police force had stepped down.

Police Commander Fausto Tamayo was appointed on October 1, 2014. His resignation follows the announcement of an investigation into possible corruption in the Ecuadorean national police force. Until President Rafael Correa appoints the new police chief, General Patricio Pazmiño will take charge.

According to a 2014 report from the Police Inspector's Office, a total of 600 police members were removed from their posts between 2013 and 2014 due to corruption and organized-crime related activities. In addition, numerous police officers have also been convicted for their role in a 2010 coup attempt against Ecuador's President Correa.