Belize's Police Brutality: A Troubling Trend

Police brutality in Belize has been a cause for concern for many years, with a 1999 report by the Belize Development Trust highlighting 40 years of police abuse. The issue stems from the colonial police system inherited from Britain, which gives officers autonomy and allows them to act independently and above the laws of Belize. While there are good officers, corruption and abuse of power are prevalent, with political elites taking advantage of this system to harass opponents and consolidate power. Recent incidents, such as the deaths of Derrick Uh and Laddie Gillett, have sparked outrage and protests, with calls for justice and police reform. The Belize Police Department's response to allegations of brutality has been criticized, and the lack of independent oversight raises concerns. International bodies have also expressed worry about excessive use of force and the need for alignment with international standards.

Police brutality in Belize has led to protests and calls for reform

Police brutality in Belize has been a long-standing issue, with a report from 1999 detailing 40 years of police abuse. The police system in Belize was inherited from Britain and has been criticised for being oppressive and designed to protect the interests of colonial authorities. While there are some good officers, the police force as a whole has been described as an "unruly, gang of thieves in uniform".

In recent years, there have been several incidents of police brutality in Belize that have sparked protests and calls for reform. In April 2020, Ulysease Roca died after being beaten by a police officer while in custody for breaking the COVID-19 curfew. Roca alleged that he was harassed and bullied by police due to his sexuality and that he was hit in the face. The cause of death was ruled as HIV and AIDS-related complications by the police, but Roca's family disputed this, believing that the injury to his face became infected. The case sparked protests and demands for justice, with the Belize Police Department internally disciplining the officer who recorded and published a video of the abuse.

In July 2021, 14-year-old Laddie Gillett was shot and killed by a police corporal in Placencia Village, sparking further outrage and protests. Residents organised candlelight vigils and activists demanded that the officer responsible be charged with murder. In the same month, the police denied a permit for a "Justice For Laddie" march in Belize City, which was intended to take place on the country's Emancipation Day.

Belize has also faced international criticism for its handling of police brutality. In 2018, the Human Rights Committee expressed concern about "continuing reports of excessive use of force and firearms by law enforcement personnel, particularly police officers, including against minors". The committee called on the authorities to strengthen their efforts to combat excessive use of force and ensure that regulations on the use of force are in line with international standards.

Despite the calls for reform, the police system in Belize remains largely unchanged. The political elite has been accused of maintaining the oppressive colonial police system due to the political advantages it provides, such as the ability to harass political opponents and bring false charges. The lack of progress has led to growing discontent among the population, with increasing calls for a revolt against the way the country is governed.

There are concerns about the excessive use of force and firearms by Belizean police

Belize's legislation does not specifically regulate the police use of force. The actions of the police are governed by the 2011 Criminal Code, which provides that force must be justifiable and legitimate. However, the Human Rights Committee has expressed concern about "continuing reports of excessive use of force and firearms" by Belizean law enforcement, particularly against minors. The Committee called on the authorities to strengthen their efforts to combat this issue and ensure that regulations on the use of force are in line with international standards.

In addition to concerns about excessive force, there have also been allegations of police brutality and abuse of authority in Belize. In one case, a man named Ulysease Roca died in police custody after being beaten and harassed due to his sexuality. While the official cause of death was reported as HIV and AIDS-related complications, Roca's family believed that he died due to an infection caused by his injuries.

Another incident involved the death of Derrick Uh, a 20-year-old man who was allegedly left in a police van for 14 hours after being arrested. The prime minister of Belize, John Briceno, demanded full answers and assured the public that there would be a thorough investigation into the incident.

The Belize Police Department has faced challenges in addressing these issues, and there have been calls for police reform and greater accountability. The standing orders for police use of force are not publicly available, and there is no formal civilian police oversight body in Belize. However, there is an internal police investigative division and a national ombudsman to whom complaints can be directed.

Belize's police have been accused of using force during curfew enforcement

Belize has a history of police brutality allegations, with 55% of the complaints received by the Office of the Ombudsman in the first half of 2020 filed against the Belize Police Department (BDP) for abuse of power, harassment, brutality, arbitrary search and entry, and unlawful imprisonment. In April of that same year, a man named Ulysease Roca died in police custody after being detained for breaking the COVID-19 curfew. Roca alleged that he was harassed and bullied by police due to his sexuality and that he was hit in the face. The cause of death was ruled to be HIV and AIDS-related complications, but Roca's family believes it was due to an infection from his facial injury.

In another case, Allyson Major Junior was shot and killed by a police officer in 2019 on suspicion of purchasing illegal drugs. The officer was charged with manslaughter, but as of October 2020, the inquiry into Major Junior's death had not progressed, and his family filed a civil suit against the attorney general and commissioner of police.

The Belize Police Department has taken steps to address allegations of police brutality and misconduct. They have disciplined and charged officers involved in incidents of abuse and have called for investigations to be carried out. However, there have been few successful prosecutions of public officials who have committed abuses.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ranks Belize among the top 10 countries in the world for homicides due to its small population and high murder rate per capita. The country struggles with ineffective law enforcement and judicial institutions, low conviction rates, and insufficient resources for crime prevention. While most murders and gang-related violence occur in Belize City, the rest of the country has also seen an increase in violent crime in recent years.

The Belize Police Department has been criticised for its handling of investigations

The Belize Police Department (BPD) has been criticised for its handling of investigations, particularly in relation to allegations of police brutality and human rights abuses. In April 2021, a man named Ulysease Roca died in police custody after being detained for breaking the COVID-19 curfew. Roca alleged that he was harassed, bullied, and physically assaulted by police officers due to his sexuality. The commissioner of police called for an investigation into the allegations, but the BPD's handling of the case was criticised. Roca's family believed that the injury to his face developed an infection, which they said was the cause of his death. However, the commissioner of police stated that Roca's death was due to HIV and AIDS complications.

The BPD has also faced criticism for its handling of the investigation into the death of Allyson Major Junior, who was shot and killed by a police officer in 2019. As of October 2021, the inquiry into Major Junior's death had not progressed, and his family filed a civil suit against the attorney general and commissioner of police for wrongful death.

In addition to these cases, the BPD has been accused of arbitrary detention, failure to allow access for inspections by the Human Rights Commission of Belize (HRCB), and using excessive force during a state of emergency in Belize City in 2021. These incidents have sparked protests and calls for police reform in Belize.

The BPD is the country's national police force and is responsible for internal security. It is headed by a Commissioner and divided into two main branches: Operational and Administrative. The BPD has approximately 500 authorised officers and is divided into three territorial divisions: Eastern, Central, and Western. While the BPD has taken steps to address allegations of misconduct and corruption, there are ongoing concerns about its handling of investigations and commitment to protecting human rights.

The Belize Police Department's standing orders on the use of force are not publicly available

The Belize Police Department (BPD) is the country's national police force, responsible for internal security. While the BPD's standing orders on the use of force are not publicly available, the 2008 Crooks Report, authored by a retired Jamaican Police Superintendent, offers some insight into these directives. The report critiques the BPD's approach to the complex situations officers encounter, particularly regarding the use of lethal force. Notably, it highlights the absence of emphasis on the principle of proportionality.

The Crooks Report recommended the development of a new use-of-force policy, encompassing the selection, testing, acquisition, and use of firearms and less-lethal weapons. It is unclear if this recommendation was implemented. However, the BPD has stated that officers are continually reminded that engaging with firearms should be a last resort. Additionally, patrolling officers are provided with a "white card" that outlines the conditions for using lethal force and guides their decision-making.

The BPD's use of force is governed by the 2011 Criminal Code, which stipulates that force must be justifiable and pursued in pursuance of a matter of statutory justification. The Code sets out grounds for justifying force, including authority to arrest, search, or detain, as well as the necessity for crime prevention, defence of property, or overcoming obstruction to the exercise of lawful rights.

The 2000 Constitution of Belize also provides context for the use of force. Section 4(2) states that the use of force resulting in death is permissible when it is reasonably justifiable for defence against violence, effecting a lawful arrest, preventing a criminal offence, or suppressing a riot, insurrection, or mutiny. Notably, the protection of property or preventing a non-violent crime may allow the use of firearms, which does not align with international law.

Belize has faced scrutiny from human rights organisations and international bodies regarding its police use of force. The 2018 Human Rights Committee expressed concern over continuing reports of excessive force and firearms use by law enforcement, particularly against minors. The committee called on the authorities to strengthen efforts to combat excessive force and ensure that regulations align with international standards.

Instances of police brutality and excessive force in Belize have sparked protests and campaigns for police reform. The death of Laddie Gillett, a 14-year-old boy shot and killed by a police officer in 2021, and the death of Ulysease Roca, who was beaten by police while in custody, are notable examples. These incidents have led to calls for justice and accountability, with activists demanding charges against the officers involved.

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