Siblings and cops acquitted of assault

RYAN SUTHERLAND

RONALD SUTHERLAND

Siblings Rachel, Ryan and Ronald Sutherland, all law enforcement officers attached to the Belize Police Department, were today acquitted of assault charges against a fellow officer.  On August third 2009 at about nine forty p.m. police corporal Ian Geban and other officers responded to a domestic dispute at the corner of Water Lane and East Canal.  According to Geban, when he arrived at the scene he approached Ronald who was under the influence of alcohol.  Geban claimed that when he shouted at Ronald to end the dispute with his common law wife he was verbally assaulted.   It is also alleged that Ronald hit the arresting officer on the left side of the head and that his sister Rachel intervened, scratching Geban on the chest.  The younger brother Ryan then stepped in and threatened the corporal.

The siblings were later charged individually with one count of resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer and use of indecent words.  In court today Geban stated that he would not testify in the case against his colleagues.  Magistrate Kathleen Lewis subsequently dismissed the charges brought against the officers.  The trio which was placed on interdiction will now be eligible to return to

active duty.