It’s official: the Police Association and Min. of National Security have patched things up

As we reported on Thursday night, the Police Association and Ministry of National Security have mended fences. In a joint press release, it was announced that the leaders of the association, Corporal Eldon Arzu and Sergeant Edlin Lorenzo, have apologized to the Commissioner of Police, David Henderson and Minister John Saldivar for going to the media over the police transfers and other internal matters. The release says, “the Commissioner of Police has decided to withdraw disciplinary charges against the Acting President and Vice President of the Association and has expressed regret at the breakdown in communication that has led to the fallout.” As part of the agreement, the rules that govern the Police Association will be revisited and revised to, “allow and enable the association to function more effectively without surpassing the legal boundaries afforded to it by law and without allowing any right, privilege or power akin to those afforded to a union.” Meanwhile, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize has put on hold a protest that was planned for this weekend, but says it will be monitoring the situation and stands ready to take action in the event that the agreement is breached. The N.T.U.C.B. also urges the association to continue to fight for legislative and police changes for better representational rights. The issue was discussed by Minister Saldivar at today’s House meeting, but only in the context of a clarification to a report in other parts of the media.