Tourist says he was robbed and assaulted by police officers
Woodrow Gabourel
We’ve heard about elements of the Police Department being accused of theft, but how often have you heard that allegation against a female officer? Well that is the claim tonight from a visitor, who says the cop stole his money and other personal effects. Sixty-one year old Woodrow Gabourel, who is vacationing, said the incident occurred after police stopped him and some fishermen over the weekend.
Woodrow Gabourel, Visitor
“On Saturday we took a sailing trip out and upon returning we pulled up near the Yarborough Bridge through the canal. This is where we usually moor the craft. The police pulled up before we got done mooring the craft and told everybody to move or else they’ll be arrested. The police, we tried to explain to them that we just came from sailing and we’re mooring the craft. We couldn’t leave the craft without getting it tied. The police insisted that we leave or they were gonna arrest. They took me to the jeep, they opened the door, I stood there for a minute. The police were probably after other individuals that were stirring around, paying attention to what’s taking place and after some of those people walked away, it seems that they weren’t interested in anyone else so they just came and start searching me. The police slammed the car door into my shoulder and pinned me to the police vehicle and put her hands in my pockets and took my billfold out, also searched around my belt area and took utility my knife from me, threw me in the back of the police vehicle, took me to the station, charged me with four charges and upon being released the following day, when it was time for me to go pick up my property that they took from me I found that my hundred and forty Belize dollars was missing along with my utility knife and so I refused to sign any document stating that I had received my property. This is my quarrel right now with the police. They need to give me what belongs to me. They insist that I was supposed to sign this document stating that I received all of everything. I didn’t sign because they’re still owing me a hundred and forty plus my utility knife.”
Anita Nembhard, freelance reporter
“You said you spoke to someone, what did this someone tell you about your one hundred and forty dollars?”
Woodrow Gabourel
“They said it wasn’t there. I could tell it wasn’t there because they didn’t give it to me. They still wanted me to sign the book saying that I received my property, which I didn’t, so I refused to sign the book.”
Anita Nembhard
“This morning you were charged with Harm, Assaulting a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest and Loitering. Do you believe that, showing us your injuries, that you should have been charged?”
Woodrow Gabourel
“No I don’t believe I should have been charged. I believe the police should have been arrested.”
Gabourel arrived in Belize from the US on vacation just last Friday. He says he has several eyewitnesses, one of whom spoke to us about the incident. Norris Meighan was the captain of the boat which Gabourel had just moored and says the police did assault the visitor.
Norris Meighan, Boat Captain
Norris Meighan
“They were hasty, they just arrested the man and they could have avoided it. I tell them the man just come from sea and I’m the captain. And in hindsight what I see now, they just robbed him because the morning his money missing, his knife missing and we could have avoided it but now we have to court to go. I’m his witness and it’s sad because I encouraged him to come to Belize. He was supposed to go to Europe and I encouraged him to come to Belize to do some sailing. Tourism – they say it’s our future. I don’t know whose future but we have to think about it. They should have used their training or something to avoid this whole fiasco. It’s sad because we were engaged in securing the boat and I tried to explain that to them and they told me I would be arrested if I don’t move away. They man-handled him and took him away. They didn’t arrest him cordially or anything, they just bomb-rushed him.”
Gabourel was today release on a thousand dollars bail which he met and must reappear in court next Monday. He alleges that the female officer, who took his wallet and utility knife on Saturday evening, was a sergeant of police. However, when he made police bail on Sunday morning and made checks at the station for his belongings, no one could say who was responsible for holding the items. Gabourel is now contemplating a counter suit.
So thats what it is comming down to I c, the police start robin and shootin each other cause they so poor right? How you gonna expect the economy to pick up when the police are commiting the crimes and I see it on tv here in my vacation to da states, yes I am on vacation to da states and I c dis stuff on tv and you let you police continue this violence?
police officers again! dam when can we live without being harrased by cheat police officers. what reputation do they give to tourist? belizean when and officer comes to you and seemsto harras you check his number badge so that when court come you can finger point who exaclty is the sod b*&*6 . it really disgust me to hear police officers doing such acts. certainly must be a black officer. sorry but i must be 100% correct since they are the worst one.
Belize Police Department Mission
Prevent Crime, Enforce the Law & Support Quality Public Safety by Delivering Respectful, Professional, & Dependable Police Services. The Belize Police Department, adheres to the mission statement of “The police and community working in partnership for a safer Belize.”
Our Vision And Values
Use best practices, including officer safety and performance-based accountability, to provide progressive and responsive police services to crime victims, witnesses, and all members of the community.
Foster an organizational culture that values integrity, accountability, ethical decision-making and respect for civil and constitutional rights.
Strengthen links with all community members and associations through open communications, mutual responsibility, and a commitment to customer service.
Identify and prioritize crime prevention and law enforcement challenges using a flexible problem-solving approach that achieves results.
Structure the organization to support the BPD mission, and field a well-trained sworn and civilian workforce which uses technology, training equipment and research strategically and effectively.
MR. JEFFRIES….PLEASE TATTOO THIS ON EACH POLICEMEN FOREHEAD!!!
The Belize police are a bunch crooks, more so than those walking the streets, along with customs, greed is the problem, with customs money under the table is how it works. Belize is slowly sinking down the sewer. All americans have trouble in Belize, except for people like Rod Allen, because good ol boy Rod works for the American Embassy, Belize police pretend tp welcome Americans, But, the truth is, they are ROBBED every chance the police get, Most police are just a bunch of low life a…, BRING back the BRITS and belize will be SAFE again, Belize needs some head thumpers again, I WILL NEVER RETURN TO THE S…. LITTLE COUNTRY AGAIN
We were going to take a vacation down there again this spring break, I am not going to come down there when it is like this. I have been hasseled by the police down there before. Now they are robbing tourist? Whats next you already have cops shooting cops it seems so why not the gringo’s. Third world minority police right?
the police are really getting out of hand. these tourists will not come back to Belize after these bad experiences. i remember last week or so a dragon unit riding on the central highway by civic center in bmp, stopped another man for doing the same thing”riding on the walkway” he seemed to be under the influence and started harrassing and saying that he civilian didn’t want to stop because of the color of their skin, he was black, i didn’t see the relevance of this skin color, these officers should be stopped. they are going over the line!!!!
This type of police activity will continue until there is a change in the leadership. It is not by accident that there are so many instances of police complaints! They,the police, feel entitled to do what they want on the street! Why? They know that there will be no prosecution! Secondly, they know that the Commish will get on whatever media he can and defend them. Ever notice that the Commish is always playing defense? You do not believe? Then take the time out to listen to him the very next time someone brings a complaint about police! He will get defensive and get annpyed at the person(s) making the complaint! Then listen again to the next instance! You will not hear him offering any conciliatory tone or re-examine a policy to make things better! The officers on the street know that so there is no incentive to change behavior. If this particular note is brought to his attention he will be annoyed at me!
hi i also think that the police people all of them are a hole bonch of corrupted people.i also dont like none of them even i dont look at them. it is a shame what is happening in our country we are going from bad to worst.
Should we be hearing any follow up from the BTB? Maybe that’s a good way to start the investigation? I work in tourism and that’s how I put food on the table and if this go on belizeforum.com then tripadvisor.com then it will make it to travel advisory to Belize. It SUCKS!
I just called my peeps and we changed it to jamaica for spring break. There the police make no enemies with the tourist, The white people feel more comfortable there too seems to be the consensus. LISTEN: You had better change things cause you guys are on the way to losing the white mans money that keeps you going. You do not like to hear it but it is true wether it be from the states or brittan, it is your life blood. with out it you can go back in the jungle and swing on your vines. Sounds silly but it is truth.
Long story short, the police were trying to hustle!!!! I’m telling you things are getting worst in our country. They rape, steal, inlfict pain on innocent ppl and kill! what the hell is next??
Abuse of power is a catch-all term for the ways police officers can abuse their positions in law enforcement to take advantage of those they are supposed to serve and protect. As part of their jobs, police can detain, arrest, and kill people. Although most peace officers take their duty to protect and serve the public very seriously, a small percentage will always abuse their power to fulfill selfish personal desires and goals. Abuse of police power usually includes excessive force, false arrest, assault, and illegal killings. Many people who are victims of police abuse of power feel they have no recourse or ability to take action against those who injure them. As a victim of police brutality almost 15 yrs ago, I made a solemn promise never to visit the country that holds so many fond memories. I feel the pain of so many unfortunate belizean who are being abuse, killed, and whose rights have been strip by rogue and illiterate cops. A police officer who commits an illegal assault is as culpable and liable for their actions as any civilian who commits assault. In fact, a law enforcement officer who willingly assaults another person in the line of duty can be held responsible for their actions, for in their role as a sworn peace officer they ought to know better. The long term effects of a police assault are not always physical. Many people who suffer assault at the hands of police officers experience severe depression, nightmares, and post-traumatic stress disorder. An assault, whether physical or mental, totally undermines and destroys the faith we all have in law enforcement in general.
INTERESTING COMENTS. YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THE PART THAT THE OUTSIDE WORLD DOES KNOW WHATS GOING ON IN BELZIE. PULL UP AND READ WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE IN THE UNITED STATES TELLS PEOPLE ABOUT GOING TO BELIZE. THE THINGS THEY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND IT’S OFFICERS. THE LACK OF SAFTEY FOR TOURIST, THE ROBBERIES AND RAPES OF TOURIST. THE US CITIZEN CHILDREN BEING HELD HOSTAGE IN BELZIE.
Mr Darrel G. Mohney , I simply ask that you refrain from referring to my country in such disrespectful
vocabulary , Respect is easily lost and difficult to recapture. Not because you believe you are hiding behind a computer somewhere and this medium provides us the freedom of expression that you
think you are privileged enough to refer to our nation and therefore all Belizeans in any form or fashion. I do not refer to your Wife, kids, mother , or country as anything else but fellow citizens of the world and whatever country you are from I respect it. An apology in the form of more wisely or
gentlemanly chosen words would be appreciated, but if you chose not to, I will not hate you or wish you any ill fate, I simply will ask that you keep your bigoted expression to yourself or you inner circle. One Love and Nuff Respect Always. P/S if you have had a bad experience in our country I personally apologize on behalf of all Belizeans and would like to let you know Belize
welcomes you with open arms.
If this story is true and the victim was indeed abiding by the laws of Belize and did not in anyway behave inappropriately; then this incident is very concerning. A few weeks ago Amandala published the interview with Crispin Jeffries, Commissioner of Police. Jeffries himself confirmed there are policemen on active duty in Police vehicles wearing ski-masks – appearance on Krem’s WUB … there are policemen on active duty in Police vehicles wearing ski-masks. Why? & who is sanctioning this extraordinary behavior. SWAT Teams sit and wait and TRAIN & TRAIN & TRAIN & TRAIN for major incidents, not day to day street service, as I believe was the case with this report. The.only reason anyone wears a ski mask in the tropics, other than to follow the clothing and equipment lists for Specialist Police and Military Personnel. The only reason to wear such a covering, is to hide ones identity. So yet another foreign visitor limps away, disgusted with Belize, home to already traumatized life of fear in the Temperate Zone fueled by TV propaganda over terrorism. Look it up http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism. Some of the above comments have suggested terror as truth: I believe they are correct. This is terrorism and unfortunately there is perhaps more of this to come. Before it stops. Q Is this being done on purpose?
Well good job there Popoe (thats police) lol were all going to Jamaica for spring break. Liked your waters and the reef but don’t need the corruption and brutality of the local police. I think if any police so much as touch a tourist they should do an automatic 30 days in solitary to think about their actions.
Somthing needs to be done and the government is not doing anything about it so maybe the people should.
Please get rid of all the rotten police officers!!!!. Gosh I am afraid of them, they use their uniform and badges to get free stuff. I have seen it.
Last night as I watched this short video clip on Channel 5 my heart was saddened……. it sank in pain, shock and disbelief. I cannot understand what our people in the front line are doing to law abiding “visitors” in this jewel instead of protecting Belize’s wealth and prosperity. Shame on the Belize Police Department and on a whole the Government of Belize!!!!! Belize is not a tourist destination no more – its a “DOOMS” destination. This officer should be stripped of her position and as mentioned before, Commissioner Crispin Jeffereys needs to resign!!!!!!!!! Belize need a more effective and efficient man for the job.
Police officers in Belize are all the same breed of people on the force, no matter, woman or man, black or Spanish.
Even in car accidents the police steal money from the dead man’s pocket, it is better if tourist walks around with Video cameras’ to record their every move while in Belize.
just plain sad! i’m out of words
If you dont like how we do things here, dont come! we dont need your yankee dollars! welcome to third world rules! show me a country thats not corupt! americans come to belize and think they own it!
It is plain ignorance to say “If you dont like how we do things here, dont come! we dont need your yankee dollars” .
belize need the yanky dollars, if they stop going to belize then the you will really feel the strain.
get your money back no matter what.