Murder at Mayan Site is A Security Wake-Up Call

Reymundo Reyes

There is unity in outrage over the senseless execution of Danny Conorquie. But there are also questions about the rationale behind having only two Special Constables providing security at such a remote location. Today we asked Reyes if the tragedy might serve as a wake-up call that there needs to be an urgent revision of security protocol.

Insp. Reymundo Reyes, Deputy Commander, Cayo Formation

“These officers are deployed every two weeks, every two weeks there is a changeover of two police officers and we know that they have the support of the rangers and of the B.D.F.  Unfortunately, it appears that yesterday, when the tours were happening, it was only the two tourism police officers that were on the ground. They are trained, they know the grounds and how to patrol the areas, but they never had the support yesterday unfortunately of the B.D.F. at the time on the grounds.”

Reporter

“Is this something of a wake-up call beucase I understand that special constables receive very little actual police training, maybe in terms of confrontations? Is this a wake-up call to say we need to revisit our presence on the ground as police officers?”

Insp. Reymundo Reyes

“There are several things that we have to look at when it comes to the security of these officers—not only of them, but also the tourists. Training has been always a part of the police and I think that certain things need to be revised to ensure that an incident like this does not occur or happen again.”

The National Institute of Culture and History issued a release today stating that the site at Caracol is closed until further notice.