So, while Laddie's loved ones said their final goodbyes to him today, the call continues to sound loudly about a need for reform within the police department. The police killing of this 14-year-old boy has become a glaring example of police excess toward civilians. Citizens want to know what is being done to change course so that we don't continue to see events of police excess with such regularity, including the profiling of black and brown Belizeans - which the Supreme Court has called out.
This morning, we spoke with Kevin Bernard, the Minister of Youth, Sports & E-Governance, and we asked him if Cabinet has taken notice of the protests calling for police reforms:
Hon. Kevin Bernard - Minister of Youth
"When you make these errors, it makes the country look bad. It makes the Department of the police look bad. And so, I applaud the Minister as well for standing up and speaking out against this issue. I think that people want to see fair justice in this issue, but from my perspective as well, I think we need to also see a fair issue for everybody who has been done wrong by the police or authority across this country."
Reporter
"There seems to be a galvanized call for police reform."
Hon. Kevin Bernard
"That was definitely discussed in Cabinet last Tuesday. There need for stronger reform in the police department. There is a need for us to ensure - and what was brought up to us, as you know, the recent intake of police officers, this is the first time that these officers had to have high school diplomas. They didn't just accept anybody. That's one, but I think it is from that stage that you start. The proper training that has to be given, and the discipline."
