In other news, a police officer is in a government quarantine centre tonight after he allegedly jumped the northern border yesterday around midday.
PC Romeir Meza, who is from Pachakan Village, but is stationed in Benque Viejo, is accused of driving his tinted vehicle right across the Chactemal Bridge straight into Chetumal. And for what? The Commissioner says the constable went over to buy some auto parts!
Chester Williams - Police Commissioner
"PC Meza had departed Belize near the north border and went over to Chetumal. I quickly asked what was the reason for his departure and who had sanctioned that departure and was told by the regional commander that no one sanctioned the departure and the constable may have gone over to Chetumal in search of some vehicle parts. Well you would know that the border is closed, except for certain transactions goods or persons who are coming in from emergency medical treatment and these sort of things and based on that I directed the northern regional commander that upon Meza's return to the country that he be detained and placed in quarantine and as soon as his quarantine period is over then he will be charged for illegally departing the country under the quarantine regulation. So he is currently in mandatory quarantine."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Sir, this seems like an egregious violation. I understand he went across in a tinted vehicle and solid reports say he was in uniform, although he wore slippers with his uniform pants."
Chester Williams - Police Commissioner
"He is actually working in Benque and from what I am told he had recently reported off duty in Benque and he went straight over to Chetumal and like you rightly said it is an egregious breach of discipline."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"I am certain that you want to say 'man, are you out of your cotton picking mind.'"
Chester Williams - Police Commissioner
"In deed Jules, I can tell you policing in this era is extremely difficult. We do have members of the security forces who are equally as culpable as that faction of the member of the public and so we as the police we have to ensure that we are fair in the execution and the application of the law and so when we have members who violate, then we have to deal with them."
Meza will be swabbed next week, and if the test is negative, he will be charged, if positive, he will remain in quarantine until he is recovered and then he will be charged. He will also face disciplinary charges. Meza joined the department earlier this year.
