A Police Officer is knocked out during Melee in Placencia

A police officer was knocked unconscious over the weekend during a scuffle with a civilian in Placencia. The incident which was caught on camera has raised the ire of many, particularly since other officers have taken to social media with threats of violence. While the Professional Standards Branch has been tasked to investigate what transpired, the individual in question is likely to be charged with assaulting an officer.

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Communications Director, Belize Police Department

“I just saw a little clip from a video that has been circulated on social media where the officer was on the ground, the sergeant. I know that his condition has not improved as yet. Mr. Francis made his allegation. We will treat this investigation with an open-mined and he will be allotted all his rights, but at the end of the day, he assaulted a police officer. Whether the officer initiated contact that, will be proven by investigators. The fact remains that the officer had some reason to approach him and he can insist that that person approached wrongfully. Whether or not he did will be proven, but if the police approach you and ask for a search, the best thing for you is to cooperate. For him to go public and say that he struck a member of the force, I do not know if that was wise for him but obviously he is owning up to what he committed. I read some disturbing comments yesterday and I had to send out a public warning to other officers, other members of the department that here we do not operate illegally and we try our best to investigate every single report, whether it involves a police or a member of the public fairly. At the end of the day, after a proper investigation is done and statements are recorded, we will know in which direction the charges should go. But for now, I must say that our sergeant was transported to the hospital and he has been in and out of consciousness. Whether or not the strike was by reflex or intended, it was a strike, it caused injuries to him and based on the classification by a medical officer, we will know which direction, if any charges, and when those charges will be filed.”