Ladyville police should be able to solve that crime easily enough, but they’re having a hard time putting the pieces together in a vehicle shooting that happened between Sandhill and Gardenia. Reports say that the Mobile Interdiction Team – which floats between all police zones – set up a checkpoint some time over the weekend in Belize rural. At some point a private vehicle was shot – but Ladyville police simply ended up with the vehicle, no report and no explanation. Today OC Broaster said it has been reported to the Commissioner because something’s amiss:….
ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural
"We have not gotten any report from the individuals involved in this case as it pertains to that particular incident."
Jules Vasquez
"So Professional Standards Branch then suggests it's an internal something?"
ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural
"Because of the fact that we've found out that incident may have took place. We reported that matter upward. I will not say we are having a productive engagement with MIT. I believe that some procedures were not adhere to as it pertains to that incident."
The vehicle was reportedly found with a small amount of hashish but not much else.
And Ladyville Police are also asking the professional standards branch to investigate a report that a the MIT shook down a Chinese businessman from Orange Walk for 500 dollars. The story is circulating within the Chinese community where the story is that the businessman came to Belize, purchased a large amount of shrimp, and was stopped on the road and falsely told that he needed permit for it. Instead, the allegation is that the officers at the checkpoint taxed him five hundred dollars and told him to go on his way. Broaster says they have heard the report and it concerns his office:..
Jules Vasquez
"Have you received such information?"
ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural
"Yes I have."
Jules Vasquez
"Is this something that concerns you? Is it something that you all are looking into being that it happened in Belize Rural and the suspicion would immediately be that it's Broaster's officers who are shaking down Chinese."
ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural
"Whenever there is a concern or a report of police wrong doing it concerns us. That matter again was referred to the acting commissioner of police who I believe initiated investigation by Professional Standards Branch."
Jules Vasquez
"Is it a concern for you that these people may be in your zone, what is called interloping or run red in Belize Rural?"
ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural
"I have no concern when any specialized unit operates in our jurisdiction. What I would have concern about is when they operate illegally in our jurisdiction or if there is allegation of them operating illegally in our jurisdiction."
The MIT denies the reports.
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