And if the murder charges do go through, they are expected to somewhat calm public sentiment after the outrage caused by yet another cop killing of a teenager.
But even before the dust settled Prime Minister and Orange Walk central Representative John Briceno became embroiled in the debate when, during an appearance on a morning show, he said quote: "As a citizen, if the police tell you to stop you should stop." He added that the victim's actions showed quote: "A lack of respect and a lack of confidence in the police."
Those remarks ramped up already high tensions in Orange Walk town hours later, manifested in a spontaneous motorcycle protest in front of the PM's house, making noise and shouting, including threats.
It's an ominous occurrence around an already very volatile situation and we asked the Commissioner of police about it this morning when he appeared on Sunup on 7.
Host:
"Caused major controversy in Orange Walk itself and there have been bikers from Orange Walk sending death threats to police officers and I mean in front of the Prime Ministers' house last night, all of that. Um, how are you, what are you doing in order to control the situation here?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Well, we have to do what needs to be done without overreacting. We need to understand that um people do go through certain situations and we must be understanding of what they are going through but at the same time we have to understand that the law must prevail and we are not going to allow ourselves or any member of the government to be threatened by any individual. We live in a system of laws and when something wrong occurs it is the duty of the police to investigate and charge who needs to be charged. I don't think they expect the Prime Minister to intervene in a police investigation, that is not the duty of the Prime Minister."
Host:
"I think it's his comments."
Host:
"Yes, it's the comments that he made about how he was talking about the two boys and the whole situation, I think they didn't like the approach he was coming from."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Well, at the end of the day if they don't like the approach that the Prime Minister is coming from then that is still no reason for them to go to the home of the Prime Minister and be, um, uttering threatening words. If you do that in any other country, you get it, you don't do the. You have to understand we are a country of laws. For them to be wanting to hurl threats at the Prime Minister, it must not be countenanced."
