Deadly force, when are police justified to use it? We saw it employed on Monday afternoon in Orange Walk when for the first time in our recollection, a protestor, in this case cane farmer Anastascio Gutierrez, was killed by police. But it wasn't the first time that police had used lethal force against a mob of protestors. We looked back at the three other times that we caught police using deadly force.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
On July 30, 2001 in Orange Walk at the Tower Hill Toll Bridge, a dispute over bus runs and the then emerging Novelo's monopoly turned into a mob scene as the group battled for their bus company against the Department of Transport.
Those feelings stirred anger, and wrath in the mob and brought out a militancy and disregard for the security forces that had not been seen in Belize for decades.
It culminated in the sight of a BDF soldier lining up his rifle at protestors; two persons were hit while panicked police were relegated to using rocks to defend themselves, as a bloodied soldier retreated, and the protestors marked their territory with a bonfire of discontent.
And then in April of 2004, as students in Benque Viejo protested – again it was against the Novelo's - led a number of increasingly militant protests launching violent unrest in the usually quiet western town - which was chaotic on this day with tear gas released in the streets, and fearless teenaged students hurling rocks at police, and a police officer pulling the trigger of an M-16
on two males one of them a 16 year old minor – who weren't even facing him.
And then a year later in April of 2005, as looters pillaged Albert Street, late responding police tried to shut down the theft on King Street. Gunshots rang out; we don't know if those were warning shots or aimed at the mob, but they were live fire and later that night, a man was found dead form a bullet wound two blocks away; his killing has never been explained and police have stated with certainty that their bullets did not cause it.
And now, we have February 2009 as this cane truck barreled unto the BSI compound past barricades and police scattered, again panicking and using live rounds
to try and stop the truck. One of those rounds penetrated the front and back windshield and hit Anastacio Gutierrez who was in the back. While the police were outnumbered, mobbed and being stoned at, were their lives in danger? The Commissioner called it a judgment call.
[February 3rd, 2009]
Jules Vasquez,
Is there a protocol for when it is appropriate to use deadly means of force?
Gerald Westby, Commissioner of Police
"Yes there is a protocol and if you notice the police did not resort immediately to firearms. They used their rubber bullets, they used the tear gas before they engaged, and it was a judgement call. They were fearful for their life and they had to make a decision on that particular occasion."
Funeral services were held today in San Victor Village for Anastascio Gutierrez. Though it was never in doubt, police have officially owned up to firing the shot the killed him. The commissioner of police has expressed sympathy – the only official, as far as we know, to have done so publicly. A post mortem confirmed that he died of asphyxia by trauma due to gun shot wounds to the neck, face and chest.
