New code of conduct for law enforcement officers

John Saldivar

Thieves, murderers and drug dealers aren’t the only people who are charged for crimes. Some-times the cops are also paraded before a judge. In the wake of numerous allegations of abuse and brutality against members of the Belize Police Department, the Ministry of National Security is drafting a new code of conduct for law enforcement officers.  The revised protocols, according to Minister John Saldivar, will outline a number of disciplinary procedures for officers who run afoul of the law. 

John Saldivar, U.D.P. Area Representative, Belmopan

“Wherever it is reported on the spot and we are able to do tests I am sure we would but we are currently contemplating new procedures, new disciplinary procedures, new conditions for police officers that will include having to do tests, as well as to be vetted for security reasons and all of that.  But that will come within a new policy that we are currently formulating as to the conduct of police officers.”

Jules Vasquez

“Sir, you recently said on this show is that a problem, or one of the problems with law enforcement is that law enforcement officers freely mingle with the criminal elements.  Is that something that you care to reiterate and how would you square that against the fact that your colleagues often mingle with those same people as well and engage them for the block of votes that they concentrate and often pay them for long periods of time?”

John Saldivar

“You are making that allegation…”

Jules Vasquez

“You all were paying gang members.”

John Saldivar

“I cannot comment on that as a part of the politics of things.  I know that the government had a program, a work program which was sanctioned by Cabinet and I believe that that was a program that worked but it was not done within the political context of things and more as a, hopefully a solution, part of the solution to the crime problem.”