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Police Investigating JP Grace Brutality Allegation
Thu, September 11, 2014
On Tuesday, we told you about the allegation of outrageous police brutality which came from Grace Flowers, the well-known Justice of the Peace who lives on West Canal in Belize City.

She told us that police took her nephew, 19 year-old Armani Bailey, to an area at Mile 4 on the Western Highway where they tried to drown him in a garbage bin, after they contemplated shooting him.

The family says that they've made an official complaint, and today, we asked the Deputy Commander of Eastern Division about the investigation. He told us that an officer from the Professional Standards Branch is now investigating:

Sr. Superintendent Edward Broaster - Deputy OCED
"The report was made and we have our professional standard branch investigating that matter thoroughly. If the allegation is found to be true, these officers will be dealt with according to the police regulation."

Jules Vasquez
"Were you alarm of hearing her version of the report? Did you consider it excessive just on theory her version of it?"

Sr. Superintendent Edward Broaster - Deputy OCED
"The version of what she explained, yes."

Jules Vasquez
"Have you sought to speak with any of your officers in eastern division just informally outside the investigation to find out what happen with Grace nephew?"

Sr. Superintendent Edward Broaster - Deputy OCED
"I have not spoken to the officers involved. Like I said the professional standard branch is investigating the matter thoroughly. However, we continuously on a daily basis implore on our officers to be professional in carrying out their duties."

Jules Vasquez
"Are you concern with all the reports of abuse that came out of last weekend? We know that on Monday morning complainants were lining up here at the station. Are you aware of surplus of complaints, an irregularly high number?"

Sr. Superintendent Edward Broaster - Deputy OCED
"I would not say a surplus of complaints but like I said the complaints that we are receiving will be investigated and if officers found to be in breach of their professional and ethical standard of the department they will be dealt with."

Jules Vasquez
"Was there an operation on where you all were trying to clean up of the city and perhaps intimidate criminal elements leading into the September celebrations?"

Sr. Superintendent Edward Broaster - Deputy OCED
"Not so. We have our "not in my city" operation being carried out on a daily basis from since June and like I said this operation will continue indefinitely, but any officer who found to be in breach of our police standing orders will be dealt with."

Broaster told the media that he has been informed of 4 separate brutality complaints made against police on Monday.

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