By Belize Live News Staff: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has issued a strong condemnation of Belize’s Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, accusing him of deliberately manipulating crime statistics in an effort to deceive the public about the true state of citizen security in the country. In a recent statement, the UDP expressed serious concern over what they view as politically motivated responses from the Commissioner, particularly in reaction to the Leader of the Opposition. According to the UDP, these responses are filled with misleading data and partisan rhetoric aimed at bolstering the current administration.
Despite the efforts of Commissioner Williams and Police Minister Kareem Musa, the UDP asserts that fabricated statistics will not alleviate the public’s growing insecurity. The facts, the party says, point to a significantly higher murder rate in 2024 compared to the previous year. Notably, the party highlights that even after a three-month State of Emergency (SOE) was implemented to curb gang violence in the Belize and Cayo Districts, murders had increased by 44% in June 2024—59 murders compared to 41 in June 2023.
Although the SOE has reportedly tempered gang-related activity to some extent, the murder rate continues to rise. By the end of September 2024, there has already been a 12% increase in murders, with 76 reported cases, up from 68 at the same point in 2023—and the month is not yet over.
The UDP also questioned the integrity of official police figures. The party pointed out that the Belize Crime Observatory initially recorded 41 murders from January to June 2023, but the official figure was later revised to 44. The UDP alleges this revision could be a deliberate attempt to downplay the actual year-on-year increase in violent crime. Additionally, the police department reported 66 murders up to August 2024, while the UDP’s own analysis—based on news reports—places the figure at 71.
Beyond the statistics, the UDP expressed concern about the increasingly violent reality that citizens face daily. Incidents such as medical professionals being held hostage while attending to gun violence victims, police stations and the Commissioner’s own home coming under fire, and a string of criminal accusations against police officers, all contribute to the public’s sense of lawlessness. According to the UDP, these incidents have led to a collapse in public trust in the police, further eroding the respect that criminal elements once had for law enforcement institutions.
The party also criticized the Leadership Intervention Unit’s gang violence reduction program, which reportedly costs over $200,000 per month. Despite this investment, Belize has remained under a gang-related State of Emergency for nearly three months, while violent crimes, including shootings, robberies, and home invasions, persist.
The UDP is calling on Prime Minister John Briceño to recognize the failure of the current approach under Police Minister Kareem Musa and Commissioner Chester Williams. They are urging the appointment of more suitable and uncompromised individuals to lead the nation’s efforts in fighting crime, which they believe is essential for restoring public trust and security.
