And back now to the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams. As we told you last week, the department dismissed 4 of the police officers who were arrested as part of the Bladen 11.
Sergeant George Ferguson, Corporal Delwin Casimiro, Corporal Elmer Nah, and PC Nelson Middleton along with an associate, namely Manuel Caliz have all been dismissed.
But, it's problematic because none of them have been convicted of any wrongdoing.
The commissioner explained his decision making process today:
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I had wrote the officers and outlined to them the different allegations against them and asked them in light of these allegations, kindly show reasons why you should not be dismissed. Again it's just a matter of ensuring that they are given an opportunity to be heard, complying with the principle of natural justice."
"They all wrote back through their attorneys and gave reasons why they should not be dismissed. I looked at the reasons that they gave as well as the totality of the allegations made against them and used my discretion having due consideration to what they responded and the allegations and based on that I terminated them under the grounds that they have ceased to become an efficient officer."
Jules Vasquez
"Was it properly thought out knowing that these officers have not been convicted of anything and they are innocent until proven guilty?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I know for a fact that the matter is going to end up in court and I don't have an issue to answer to my decision."
"I think that if you were to ask the Belizean people how they would feel to see any of those officers in a police uniform and you would see what they respond from the public is going to be. Now I'm not saying that the reason for the dismissal was due to the issue of public interest but more rather the fact that having examined their response as to why they should not be dismissed, taking into consideration the totality and the veracity of the allegations against them, we're of the view that they could not serve this department no more."
"If they were to continue it is going to further erode the public trust and confidence in the work that we do. So yes the matter is going to be ventilated in a court of law and if the court should rule in their favor we're prepared to pay the price."
