Kraal Rd. residents claim police brutality
It may not have been a murder, but another M-word–mayhem–is a fitting description of what went on this morning when police decided to make their presence felt in one Belize City neighbourhood that didn’t seem to appreciate it.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
It?s not the first time that Belize City police have come in contact with residents living in the neighbourhood of Kraal Road. In fact it?s an area authorities frequently visit when investigating crimes. This morning the police received information that a car suspected to be involved in a murder was parked on the street and they went into the area to conduct a search. They also questioned one of the residents, believed to be the vehicle?s owner, but according to authorities they were attacked by the man?s girlfriend and then quickly surrounded by a large number of area residents.
Members of the crowd, including men, women, and children, said it was the police who turned violent and physically attacked two civilians. The residents say no one was resisting arrest or trying to be difficult, and that is why they?re upset.
Phillipa Andrewin, Resident
?They beat the man wife, the officer push gun inna his face, handcuff a guy, and one hold ah inna his throat like this and they beat ah inna his face.?
Deon Trapp, Resident
?We give them the respect and everything when they come round, right, give dem what they want, but they come?like this morning when they come, they come ask fi a lee search and [we] give them the lee search, but like the officer weh mi di rub down, like he take it too advantage and want come take abuse of the person weh they di rub down, and that noh right. That?s why people stand up.?
Keisha Lord, Resident
?The police they mi di chance up (take advantage of) the lee bwai out yah. One ah they take the gun and beat ah inna his face with it; I personally witness it. And the next one, the police grab ah dah his balls and then he squeeze it and he tell ah, you noh hear I say fi sit down, and he push ah back way while he di squeeze his balls. And the people they, they come out fi their love ones and thing, because they di chance up their loved ones.?
The residents claim the police fired a shot almost hitting a young lady in her legs as she stood inside this yard. The crowd produced the empty shell that they say came from the cop?s weapon and showed the hole the bullet made as it hit the ground. As tension mounted, both residents and the police stood their ground. It was not long before Assistant Commissioner of Police, Maureen Leslie, arrived on the scene to do what she can to calm the situation.
(Leslie talking to the crowd)
Leslie tried to win the crowd?s confidence and encouraged those who witnessed the alleged police brutality to come forward and give a statement. The residents not only cooperated, but handed to Leslie the bullet?s casing to back up their allegations. Leslie says such incidents always make policing difficult but she will do whatever is possible to get both sides to work together in the fight against crime.
Maureen Leslie, Assistant Commissioner of Police
?I am trying to get an understanding; I don?t have the full picture. I was in my office and I got a call that there was a problem out here and I decided to come myself and see what is the problem, so I need to speak to these persons here who are prepared to give a statement. Allegations of police brutality they are saying, so I have to investigate it. I have three witnesses who will assist and the perpetrators, the officers, will be dealt with.?
Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
