San Pedro Officers Involved in Brutality Remain on Interdiction

Police Constable Tyrell Rowley was granted bail on Wednesday having been charged for wounding San Pedro resident, Jamil Leal. The brutality at the hands of the officer was witnessed by many partygoers on New Year’s Day on the island and by far more who saw the videos. In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Rowley and PC Samir Medina were suspended, but were later placed on interdiction. They have both been charged disciplinarily by the Police Department. But the criminal charges were only now being brought against Rowley, who was clearly seen power-kicking Leal in the face while he was unconscious on the ground. That’s twenty-two days later, despite the multiple videos that went viral on social media capturing the brutality from different angles. So what caused the delay for police to charge one of its own?

Alejandro Cowo

ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City

“You have to take into consideration that at the initial stage, they were reluctant to provide a statement to the police; however, after the Commissioner spoke to them, it was then that they decided to make a formal complaint and it is from there that the investigation actually commenced. It took a week or two weeks to do an arrest because we had to ensure that we have everything before we do an arrest and not just arrest somebody and we don’t have enough evidence.”

Duane Moody

“Interestingly sir, Samir Medina who is the other officer who was suspended, he has not been charged. Could you talk to us about why that has not happened or are there charges still pending?”

ASP Alejandro Cowo

“We are going based on what the investigation is showing us and at this moment, the only evidence that we had to charged is in the person of Tyrell Rowley that was charged.”