Relatives of arrested suspect claim brutality
One set of people who are not being shy about talking to the media, live on Raccoon Street Extension in Belize City. They say that last night the only ones doing any shooting were police. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods reports.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Calvin Richards says there was no reason for the police to fire their guns and beat up his stepson.
Calvin Richards, Stepfather
“Why is Belize getting like this? I mean, why are police officers just come around…I mean if there is a charge there is a charge. I am not with the kids them because I know kids do mischievous after midnight or whatever. But I am saying it is the way they did it; they had no reason for beating on this boy and he is already handcuffed and in their custody.”
The alleged incident took place just before twelve on Sunday night. Neighbour Yvonne Harris says she was inside her house looking through the window when she claims to have witnessed the entire incident.
Yvonne Harris, Neighbour
“They get the boy out and handcuffed him to the back. We hail the mother and the mother came out same time and observed everything that happened. The boy told them to loose his hand to the back because they tied it too tight and couldn’t get into the police jeep. There and then, they took him and stoned him in the vehicle like animal. When they get in there, now three big officers get in there and stand up on the boy and start to kick ah. And then the mother said to them, you don’t have to do him like that. So I said to the police, why you noh tell the other ones to stop brutalize people like that. He say, if you don’t hush your mouth, you will f***ing getting it too. That is what the police said to me. So I said, no you noh have to do him like that. I said just release the boy let him get into the jeep. Then from deh they left and they gone. Then they fired three rounds meanwhile going.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Right into the crowd that had gathered?”
Yvonne Harris
“Right into the crowd that was right out here.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Was anybody making a lot of raucous, a lot of noise out here. Was Derrol putting up any kind of resistance why the police attacked him?”
Yvonne Harris
“No, nothing like that, nothing like that.”
Jacqueline Woods
“No reason why the police were looking?”
Yvonne Harris
“No question, no question at all did they asked. So I tell him why you going with him. He said, if you want f-ing go with him you could go, and at that time he held the gun to my head side here. I tell ah, why you wah do me that. Then I start to talk to the police lady, I seh, you can’t stop a thing like this? I seh, because unu dah (you all are) police, unu dah the law.”
Jacqueline Woods
“The policeman put a gun to your head?”
Yvonne Harris
“Yes, one of the big guys.”
Richards says he intends to file a complaint with the police. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
As the saying goes, there are at least two sides to every story. According to the police, they went into the neighbourhood after receiving a report that a young man was seen stealing lumber. Authorities say when they reached the area they observed Vernon holding the boards and they claim that after he saw the police, he dropped the load and started to run. Authorities say after they handcuffed Vernon and put him inside the vehicle, a crowd gathered and the people started to approach them. That’s when police allege that Vernon took the handcuffs and banged them against the Jeep smashing its glass. The police say they have charged Vernon with damage to property and using obscene language. As for the claims of Miss Harris, the police would not say if any shots were fired or if any brutality was committed against her. They say they are investigating to determine exactly what transpired.
