Move over Marco Vidal…there is a new head of the GSU
Marco Vidal
Tonight, News Five has confirmed that Officer Commanding Special Branch, Marco Vidal, who has been at the helm of the Gang Suppression Unit since its formation in 2010, has been replaced as its chief officer. The reason for his removal remains unclear; however, Vidal, whose portfolio was expanded a year ago to include leadership of Special Branch, will be succeeded by Superintendent Linden Flowers. Vidal has come under sustained fire primarily for his approach to getting the job done. Despite the GSU’s notable record for drug busts, its intelligence-led operations have come under intense public scrutiny on several occasions. One such incident was back on May twentieth, 2011, when a team of officers stormed the residence of Belmopan businessman, Mike Menjivar. During the raid, multiple shots were fired inside the home of La Cabana’s proprietor, who told nine-one-one dispatchers that he believed he was under siege by a gang of criminals. That incident resulted in Menjivar’s arrest and remand, followed by a protracted legal battle over what transpired during the shootout.
Linden Flowers
More recently, Vidal’s name resurfaced in the Supreme Court, as well as the media, when fellow officer Corporal Gino Peck was convicted for possession of unlicensed ammunition. The raid on Peck’s Curassow Street residence, according to the GSU boss, was also the result of an intelligence-led operation. Peck’s subsequent case divided the Belize Police Department, as many officers were of the opinion that the matter should have been handled internally. Vidal later explained that the suggestion that the case against Peck was motivated by some personal vendetta was preposterous and that his interaction with Peck had at best, been minimal. Vidal, it is believed, will remain head of the Special Branch.
What a shame!!
It does not pay to do your job too well especially if you are standing on political toes. How can this country ever go forward when the government takes out those who stand up for principles and not cowering to their political bosses. One has to ask who gave the directive? The GSU has focused on taking out scumbags and have the results to prove it.
Politicians and their connections with criminals will be the eventual downfall of this country. They would sell their souls to the devil for a few bucks.
Shame on the UDP leaders who sanctioned this, may your actions haunt you forever.
You know, sometimes when somebody is doing his job very well
there is people who no like it. But who knows.
Like in my village there was a policeman that stand up for
justice for the right thing, and yes he was hard in his job
but it was very necessary, and people start to complaint
about that, so they gathered some signatures and he went
to another place, and it came another policeman, a drunk police that no care
for nothing, gangs started to raise and people complaint again
is that STUPID? yes it is when somebody is doing his job and he is
doing it good we should see it
These are the things.Never make a position get to your head.You’re replaceable.
Yes Mr. Vidal had started to his job well but I feel he had let his position get the best of him and was not dealing with different situation in the proper way or the legal way I should say. We want the crimes in our country to be at the minimal but not the illegal way either. I have seen numerous times where the GSU Unit have abuse there power especially Mr Vidal, which shouldn’t be. We have to remember everyone is replaceable at some point or the other.
Evidence that the gang members have bigger clout and connections than ALL the law abiding BELIZEANS. Criminals have more rights! IT IS BS that gangs have diminished. ALL that has happened is they have moved out of central BELIZE. Get ready out district for major crime and violence. IT has already begun in OW!! Right under GAPI’s watch and he is clueless and doing nothing about it. HE is being set up to lose elections.