By Belize Live News Staff: A police officer in San Pedro Town has been suspended after a video surfaced showing him pushing his firearm into the mouth of a man lying on his back on the ground.
The footage, which spread quickly on social media, shows the encounter happening as members of the man’s family looked on. It has triggered widespread outrage and fresh questions about how police use force.
Police high command responded quickly. ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer of the Belize Police Department, said the department condemns what was seen in the video without reservation.
“The department has initiated both criminal and disciplinary investigations into the conduct that was viewed in the video, and the particular officer has been placed on immediate suspension,” Smith said.
The officer is a member of the GI3 unit. Police say a second officer involved in the encounter is also under investigation.
Smith reminded officers that their powers must be used lawfully and with restraint, no matter the threats or insults they face on the job. She also made it clear that the state of emergency in parts of the country does not give police a free hand.
“Whilst it is that we are under a state of emergency in certain parts of the country, that is by no means a carte blanche for police officers,” she said.
It is not yet clear what led to the confrontation.
