PCC Consults Belize Coast Guard
The People’s Constitution Commission is meeting with members of Belize’s security forces as part of its public consultation process. The P.C.C. is tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the constitution and to make recommendations for reform. Last week, the P.C.C. consulted the Belize Defense Force and today they were at the Belize Coast Guard headquarters in Belize City. Traditionally, members of the security forces are not engaged in these types of public discourse. But, when it comes to the constitution, these brave men and women play an important role in protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms that we enjoy. News Five’s Paul Lopez stopped by this morning and filed the following report.
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
Richard “Dickie” Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
“So you remember you are entitled to rights, nobody they give it to you. When you put on the coast guard uniform it is a different ball game, you agree to restrain some of your rights. Unu can’t do like me, I could talk anything. Unu can’t come talk anything, hya unu cant call in pan the morning show and seh, late last night while we were patrolling we came across some white snappers in the vicinity of Boca del Rio and the amount they took to the base is not the same amount that was found.”
It is not often that the men and women of Belize’s security forces are engaged in public discourse and debates. But, today members of the People’s Constitution Commission consulted with the Belize Coast Guard, as the commission continues to carry out its mandate. Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, the Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard spoke with News Five.
Elton Bennett
Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
“We discussed the need for them to be here and be present and to have as much of the coast guard personal here present so that we can have a very good discussion. Traditionally the military does not get involved with the routine politics of the day, but this is the constitution, these matters for us, and our responsibility in safeguarding that constitution is very important. We have a very crucial role to play in ensuring that the constitution works and maintaining Belize as a sovereign country for example is one of those crucial task that is given to the military.”
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
“Now I understand now, me ah big grown man weh gawn dah law school long, long time, why they don’t teach the constitution to people, it is going to open your eyes. You don’t have constitutional right to vote, you must have a right to vote.”
Attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley was the main presenter today. Bradley sought to break down his lecture in simple terms, using relatable examples, to increase participants’ knowledge of the constitution.
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
“Look at this man, huge attendance, not a soul has fallen asleep and they dear not in front of the big man but this is really encouraging. I am not part of the commission, they should really be paying me, I am up there talking about and the importance of money. But, the point is that this is the top of the line security force of the country, they are much more disciplined, motivated. But their views is important, you hear how they react when I say like overtime and you all have all the right we have except for when you join the force there are certain things you can’t do. I have to bear in mind that when you are speaking to people you don’t forget that you are not speaking to lawyers. I am talking to a particular section of the society and some of the things in the constitution are long and boring so we have to find a way to keep it alive you know. So you have the executives made up of the politicians, deh put in that you call deh minister. Can you imagine that? I grow up, we call we bishop and father at St. Johns Church minister, deh call deh self minister to mek you feel like bwai deh dah wah high level, minister, nuh only that, they dah honorable. Then deh tek a two a deh and turn deh into right honorable like yo could got a wrong honorable.”
Several members of the Belize Coast Guard rose to share various concerns during the question and answer segment. Those concerns ranged from the misuse of funds by public officials, to the integrity of Belize’s borders.
Coast Guard Officer 1
Coast Guard Officer 1
“One of the next issues with the blatant misuse of the funds, my minister does not ened a range rover. As far as I am concerned we should by an entire fleet of Toyota Camry, Toyota Camry almost last forever and run on little or no gas.”
Coast Guard Officer 2
Coast Guard Officer 2
“As a law enforcement we suppose to have some good damn benefits, only in this country yah yo guh and deh tax yo more than weh the thing charge. Everywhere we guh deh suppose to the give yow ah discount, we the serve this country. I join BDF 1993, going for thirty-one years and when I walk out deh I dah nobody, cause if yo nuh have money, that’s why Mr. Dickie Bradley the look fih the white snapper cause he know, money talk.”
Coast Guard Officer 3
Coast Guard Officer 3
“In my opinion I honestly believe our government should have sat with better legal minded people as to why am I going to a court when my constitution define what my country is. We don’t know the outcome of what the ICJ will be like, but if the ICJ is to rule against us our constitution will have to be amended again.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
