7 News Belize

A War Of Words: Police vs. Politicians
posted (September 3, 2014)

And so the GSU is dominating the headlines tonight – but let's not forget where it all started – on Saturday at the Saint Martin De Porres Field – when former two term Prime Minister Said Musa lashed out at the GSU. Never one to hold back on an easy target, Musa pulled out some of his old social justice rhetoric and condemned the GSU's tactics. Since then, it's been a lively back and forth about the unit's tactics and political gamesmanship. We put a few choice bits together:..

Rt. Hon. Said Musa – Area Rep, Fort George
“The GSU is out of control and if I have my way, if had anything to do with it, that is one of the first things the PUP will do - out with the GSU - abolish the GSU because that is no way to be treating people."

Inspector Mark Flowers – Commander, GSU
“I find it very frightening the comments made by the senior parliamentarian. The kind of comments are treacherous to say the very least and certainly unnecessary.”

Hon. Francis Fonseca – Leader of the Opposition
"We are demanding that Inspector Flowers be removed as the head of the Gang Suppression Unit. He does not enjoy the confidence of the Opposition, he does not enjoy the confidence of the many people that we represent.”

Inspector Mark Flowers
“Is it now that you are courting votes or popularity by being irresponsible? Is it that you are not satisfied that there are enough problems in this country that the police needs to deal with these problems?”

Rt. Hon. Said Musa
“He launched an ad hominem attack on me because of the comments that I made at that convention and that's the difference. In other words, he did not behave as a serious respectable, professional Inspector of Police on this occasion."

Insp. Mark Flowers – Commander, GSU
“When I say something I mean it alright. Whatever I have said is what I have said. What had to be said is what is said. I will not go back and flag no dead horse, I've said that."

Hon. Francis Fonseca
“His actions on the evening news were unbecoming of the head of a unit of our national security forces.”

Inspector Mark Flowers
"I don't want to get into no discussion with the Opposition. There is a government in this country and the government decides what goes on right."

Hon. Francis Fonseca
Mr. Flowers as head of the GSU works for the people of this country. He is there to serve and protect the citizens of Belize. He is not there to do the work of Mr. Barrow and his political bosses, he is there to do the work on behalf of the citizens of Belize."

Inspector Mark Flowers
"The GSU answers to the commissioner of police. He is the constitutional head of this department. This is one police department, this is only a unit of the police department. The commissioner is the legal constitutional head of the department, so we answer to the commissioner."

Hon. Francis Fonseca
“It is time to disband that unit. They have lost the trust and confidence of the Belizean people.”

Inspector Mark Flowers
“I will not superintend over any unit that practices any degrading, inhumane, illegal, out of order performance - I will not sit by and watch that happen.”

Rt. Hon. Said Musa
“That is no way to be treating people."

Inspector Mark Flowers
“I cannot be held accountable for those yesteryears incidents.”

And the only one not in there is police minister John Saldivar – who sent his comments to 7News via text message. He said, "The Minister of National Security, the Commissioner of Police, and the Police Department…stands shoulder to shoulder with the leader and members of the GSU who are diligently and courageously serving the country…by fighting the criminals who on a daily basis terrorize law abiding citizens."

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