Last week, we had extensive coverage of the story of 18 year-old Hilberto Sotz who became the third man in 12 years to die in the Custody of Caye Caulker Police. The outcome of that incident is that 2 police officers have been criminally charged with murder, and they are also facing disciplinary charges. 3 more officers, including the former commanding officer of the island, have also been put on interdiction because it is suspected - but still unproven - that while they were on duty, they may have known that Sotz was being brutalized and tortured, but they did nothing to stop it.
We told you also that the Police Department was going to send a new officer to run the Caye Caulker Police Station. Today, the Community Public Relations Officer for the department announced that this change is now official - and the new OC is a female. He said that it's the first step toward regaining the trust of the Caye Caulker residents:
Douglas Hyde, Public Relations Coordinator - Police Department
"Last week the OCD through the commissioner of police made official change when it comes to the command -- inspector Dianna Augustine now is the OC of Caye Caulker and some couple police officers likewise have joined her and we're working on a whole, changes in Caye Caulker as you know that we want to see better for the persons in the community of Caye Caulker. Ms Augustine as you know comes with a vast experience of community policing and so the residence of Caye Caulker and the community can look forward for a lot of community meetings, a lot of dialogues and communication as she has already planned within her first 30 days of meeting with the community and working very closely. We're looking at physical changes likewise at the police station. We want to re-paint it over and also do some new changes in there so that it can be more people friendly and of course it's a station so we want to work towards being more professional at the level."
Reporter
"Sir, you think the residence would be satisfied with that given the recent occurrence there. Hilberto Sotz died in police custody."
Douglas Hyde
"The situation is a sad situation. We must say and again the department joined with the commissioner expressing our condolences. The residence can be assured that we want to do better within the police department and to become professional I must say. So, these changes are to better that relationship and also to look at the residence where we provide the better service to them. So, yes they can look forward to these positive changes."
Reporter
"Are you looking at the removing officers from their position on the Island?"
Douglas Hyde
"We already did that. We already changed an amount of officers and we've already replaced them likewise."
Reporter
"Do you think it's a wakeup call for them? I know the Department said that there is no-nonsense when it comes to rogue cops. Do you think that's what's happening here? it's a wakeup call from officers to not allow things to happen."
Douglas Hyde
"I think the commissioner had sent a clear message to all police officers that we won't tolerate it and we won't accept police officers abusing their authority and their power. So, yes it is a message and we'll continue. As you know the professional standard branch continue to work on these everyday incidents or weekly incidents of abuse of power and authority by police officers."
But, they won't earn the trust of the Sotz family any time soon, and right now, they are still dealing with the grief of the sudden loss of their son, Hilberto. His father spoke with the media this morning and he talked about the financial investment he made in his son's future:
Santorino Sotz - Father of Deceased
"I got hurt due to fighting for my son. My father never did this to me. My father never support me like this. So I said I'll put my heart for my son. I have 4 of them and they're doing well in school. If they weren't doing good I wouldn't defend them because I still have to help them anyway but the thing is that Hilberto told me that he wanted to be a doctor. That's why I went to the bank and I asked for help. Thank God the bank proceeded and they helped me. I don't want to borrow the money to spend on things, I borrow the money to pay school and that's what hurt me because I try better for my son's future. I have to do 2 job like, I told you the other day. I have to run taxi. I have to do mason work. I have to dig sand, get a contract, make somebody work for me meanwhile I'm running the taxi. That what I feel hurt in heart. I try for my children and then the police will come and kill my son for nothing."
Hilberto Sotz was laid to rest this weekend.
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