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Police Minister Speaks Candidly About Caye Caulker Investigation
posted (June 10, 2015)

So how did it go from an outward and bold assertion of no criminal activity in Sotz's death to one where 2 officers are criminally charged, and 5 are on interdiction? Well it all comes down to the post mortem done by Dr. Mario Estradabran. He has done a medical examination on Hibert Sotz's body and he determined that the causes of death were multiple. The first is that he suffered vascular shock and pronounced massive heart thrombosis, which basically means that he was hit in the chest and it caused intense bruising damage to his heart. He also suffered acute post traumatic cerebral oedema or basically blows to the head which cause bleeding in his brain.

That's the description of physical torture taken too far, and so we've been trying to get a comment from someone in the police department, but none were available to us today. News Director Jules Vasquez is in the Dominican Republic for Team Belize's football game against that country's national team and so is Police Minister John Saldivar, who wear the hat of National Team Coordinator. The Minister granted Jules an interview about an hour ago in which he discussed candidly and in detail what happened to Sotz, as far as police have been able to establish, as well as the implications for it. Here's his extended comments:

Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security

"The post-mortem has been concluded and as a result of that post-mortem the police have arrested and charged the two police officers who had Mr. Sotz in their custody. Police have also interdicted five officers who were at the Caye Caulker police station at the time - though not involved directly. The situation in the case, they were there and we believe there was great dereliction of duty on their part."

Jules Vasquez

"Now, what does the investigation indicate so far? How did they kill Mr. Sotz? What were the circumstances based on what the post-mortem says?"

Hon. John Saldivar

"The post-mortem have revealed that the young man was beaten and tortured by someone - we're supposing it was the two officers that beat and tortured him."

Jules Vasquez

"Now sir, if officers sworn to uphold the law would beat and tortured an 18 year old, how does that make you feel as Minister of National Security? Knowing also this young man was attending a school in your constituency."

Hon. John Saldivar

"I am appalled Jules. I'm disappointed, I'm saddened and I must take this opportunity to express my condolences to the Sotz family. I am really deeply disappointed in the behaviour of my officers. It is a dark day for the police department and we must find a way to move on beyond this and bring closure and bring justice for the family and that is exactly what we are doing."

Jules Vasquez

"Sir, are you concerned about the culture that gave rise to this? In terms of that - it is a monstrous act and I'm saying that obviously what we see there is a symptom but there would appear to be a deeper sickness that officers think they can take the life of a teenager of a young man or anyone into their own hands and play with it as they wish. Is there a sick culture of abuse in the police department that you have to look more deeply at?"

Hon. John Saldivar

"Something is wrong Jules, something has been wrong for a very long time. We've been trying to address this issue of police abuse and police brutality. It is obvious that the message is not reaching across the entire police department and there are still rouge officers who believe that they can act in the manner as two officers did the day before yesterday. We've got to do something about and something will be done."

Jules Vasquez

"Sir what we've saw at Caye Caulker really, we're told it's a manifestation of years of abuse and extortion and just roguish behaviour by successive officers who've gone out there. Are you concerned that there is a type of social ferment or something out there which is giving rise to a very cavalier attitude of lawlessness with the law enforcement officers?"

Hon. John Saldivar

"Jules, based on the numerous complains we're received, especially from the Caye Caulker police station over the last few years, I have to agree with you there must be something wrong happening out at Caye Caulker. This is something we cannot hide from. What took place in the murder of this young man is so heinous that we've got to stop and do a gut check as to what's happening out there. And as the minister of police I can assure the Belizean public that we will not cover up anything. We're going to do what we can to find out what is happening there. If it is something systemic, if it is something cultural, what ever it is that is happening out there we will find out what it is - this cannot continue to happen."

Jules Vasquez

"Sir, and finally - is there any confession? Any compliance? Is anyone who was in that station at the time say here what, I am a officer of the law, what happened was wrong, here's what really happened? Because all you're saying all you have is the post-mortem report which shows torture and murder. But is there anyone from in there - all the police officers who were in there, anyone saying: You know what, I'm going to take a stand and I'm going to do the right thing and speak out?"

Hon. John Saldivar

"Jules, the matter obviously now will be before the court and we don't want to discuss all the details but I can say, that one out of the two officers - I've been informed he has given a statement that is assisting the police's investigation."

We've also managed to get a copy of the report that police officer – now an accused murderer – Hallet King submitted to his superiors shortly after the incident. That they were interviewing him, no mention at all of any torturing that they are now accused off. They say that 15 minutes into that interview, Sotz, who they refer to as "Ketchi", started taking some deep breaths as if he was not getting enough air to breath. After observing this for about 25 seconds "Ketchi" went unconscious with his head hanging forward. He says that he and DC Nunez noticed something was wrong, and that's when Nunez suggested that they take him to the Health Center.

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