Another cop who is being accused of reckless behavior with a firearm is 34-year-old Constable Jose Alberto Mendez Jr. He is on remand at the Belize Central Prison for allegedly discharging his firearm in public.
Reports reaching our newsroom are that at around 11 p.m on Sunday, March 6, a higher-ranked officer received information that Mendez, who was on foot patrol on Tibruce Street, allegedly fired his police-issued weapon, a.223 rifle, in public without just cause. Reliable police reports tell us it may have been discharged twice.
Mendez was arraigned on that offense before Magistrate Walters, one of the new appointees to the Magistracy. Due to the nature of the offense, which falls under the firearms act, he was denied bail and remanded into custody at the Belize Central Prison until May 20, 2022. That's also the date set for disclosure when the prosecution must provide him with a copy of the full case being brought against him. Early suggestions are that at this time, there is no police witness statement in which someone actually claims to have seen him firing the weapon in public.
He insisted to court reporters that his attorney will attempt to expedite a bail petition on his behalf to the Supreme Court.
