Last night, we told you about 7 police officers and the 9 civilians who were busted while socializing on the seawall behind Marine Parade in Belize City.
It happened at around 8:41 p.m. last Saturday, when officers from Police Precinct 3 responded to a tip that a large group of people, including their fellow cops, were seen drinking and playing loud music in the area. Police say that when they responded, they found the individuals and asked them to leave. Instead of doing so, the offenders reportedly became disrespectful and refused to cooperate, even though they were engaging in public drinking and showing disregard for social distancing and mask-wearing laws.
When we asked the Police Commissioner about the conduct of these officers, he said that they have to face the same redress as civilians who break the COVID-19 public safety regulations:
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I, personally, am a strong supporter and advocate for the enforcement of the COVID-19 regulations for the simple fact that I see every day the devastation that this virus is causing to our country and people. And when we have people who behave so recklessly and continue to defy the mechanism put in place to protect the most vulnerable, it makes me really irate. I said to Mr. Rosado on Sunday when I was briefed that we cannot allow it to go away and even though, yes, they are police officers, we work under extremely stressful situations, especially now with COVID, having to deal with people who defy the law, it is no justification for us, ourselves, to defy the law as well. We cannot be the enforcers of the law telling people they can't do this and they can't do that and the same thing we are telling people they cannot do, we ourselves are doing it. It is hypocritical."
8 of the persons were issued with tickets for the violations on the night in question. Tickets will also be issued to the others.
The Commissioner said he has given some consideration to disciplinary charges for the offenders, but he is of the view that their fines for the COVID regulations will be punishment enough.
