Maintaining Civility during Sugar Protest

Chester Williams

For the past few days, the police have been maintaining order in the north where cane farmers have been protesting and agitated.  ComPol Chester Williams said on Thursday the Belize Police Department would maintain a presence to keep the peace, but he appreciated the good communication with cane farmers during this tense time. 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We know that this could have been worse. In the past, we have seen what these events have turned out into and this time around we are seeing that things are being dealt with differently. Yes, as police law enforcement, while we do have the authority to do certain things, we do not believe that just because we have authority to do certain things we should just exercise those authority without due consideration for what people may be going through and for the plight of people. So we are acting reasonably as well, trying to strike a balance, not to be on either side, but rather to stand in the middle to make sure at the end of the day law and order prevails. And I must say thanks to the cane farmers and the association for working so good with us. We have a very good rapport; every so often we dialogue with them to see what it is that they are planning, what it is that they are going to do and at the same time, we ask for them to maintain civility in this process.”