Coast Guard Commander Takes Hard Line Stance on Information Leaks

The Belize Coast Guard is presently in charge of the Joint Intelligence Operations Center, a role that is rotated between the three law enforcement organizations that comprise the country’s national security apparatus.  With a rise in the number of allegations made against police officers for their purported involvement in illicit activity, particularly drug trafficking, concerns are being raised on whether information from JIOC is being leaked to rogue cops. It’s a serious concern, enough to prompt Rear Admiral Elton Bennett to take decisive action in limiting the information being shared with its counterparts. This morning, the commandant of the BCG spoke about the challenges being faced within the intelligence circle and how it impacts law enforcement.

Rear Adm. Elton Bennett, Belize Coast Guard

“It certainly impacts the way we operate.  It impacts the way we manage information and intelligence, it impacts the way we work along with other security forces. It certainly limits the information flow and the operational design definitely needs to take into consideration possible infiltration of criminal elements within the security forces.  So with that said, it’s certainly impacts the way we perform.”

Marleni Cuellar

“So you’re talking joint operations?”

Elton Bennett

“Primarily joint operations, definitely it is impacted by the way we have to take these issues into consideration. For joint operation purposes, we are structured in such a way that we have a joint intelligence and operation center in Price Barracks that manages those special operations and currently under the leadership of a coast guard officer. So the coast guard has taken over that responsibility over the past two months. I made a bold decision last week to minimize the way we operate with other agencies in Belize.  Myself and the commissioner, we have a meeting scheduled tomorrow to discuss how we’ll move forward, but I’ll be honest and open, there are major considerations, at least on my part how we go about operating with other security forces and because of what we’ve seen, it’s out there, it’s in the open and we are aware that there are criminal elements within the security forces that impact our operation.  So as we stand now, there are restrictions that I have placed on my service, in terms of how we operate with other security forces.”

Isani Cayetano

“That’s a hard line position that you are taking. Are you prepared for the flak that you will catch from others within the organization?”

Elton Bennett

“Yes, I am prepared to do so. I run a very credible organization. I think we are professional to the extent that we command the respect of the country and anything less than that would be a shortcoming on my part.”