Police Constable Alicia Trapp blew up in the news during the village council elections in June of 22 when she had a fiery standoff with Cayo South Representative Julius Espat.
While Espat didn't pursue charges against her, she was disciplined by the police department for violating its social media policy.
Her attorney OJ Elrington promptly sued the Commissioner of Police, the Attorney General and the Belize Police Department. Today he took some satisfaction in noting that - contrary to the dismissive claims made by Commissioner Chester Williams - Government has retained top private senior counsel to defend it.
Now, it's not exactly leave for judicial review - in fact the case hasn't even gone to court yet, but he clearly felt this was a victory, of sorts. We spoke to him via Zoom:
OJ Elrington, Attorney for Alicia Trapp
"It's a claim for constitutional relief. Effectively we are claiming that Miss Alicia Trapp's constitutional rights have been violated by the commissioner, the Belize Police Department and by extension the Government of Belize when they took the decision to try to bring a disciplinary proceeding against Miss Alicia Trapp. Indeed, the case has significant merit to it and unlike the claims of the commissioner, our lawfirm has competent attorneys who can handle the matter, but indeed obviously it speaks to the importance to which this government places on this matter and obviously they do not see it a frivolous claim whatsoever and therefore they in their opinion have retained the services of the law firm and persons they believe give them the best chance to be able to defend the suit."
"A good gentleman once said, my mom tell me not to tell cow good morning - that was probably the smartest thing I ever heard them say, but I think that actions speak louder than words and I think if that is his opinion, obviously the government and those in charge at the attorney general office don't share his opinion."
"You don't need to be a great attorney if you have a great case. You just need to be a good attorney if you have a great case and in this case, I am saying that it is manifestly clear that the constitutional right of Miss Alicia Trapp was breach and continues to be breached and therefore I don't think that we will have much problem in letting the court declare such."
We'll let you know when the case goes to court.
