That's strong language, and since the weekend, that video has been the subject of quite a lot of discussion about police and their use of force. Quite often, we hear the complaints of residents who swear that officers have wantonly abused their authority, but this is one of the few times that such an allegation has been caught on camera. Tonight, Daniel Ortiz takes a second look at the incident in the wider context. Here's his story:

Daniel Ortiz reporting
Seeing these two Police Constables, Norman Coye and Darnell Madrill, leaving the Island's Police Station, yesterday, it was rather difficult to reconcile that these were the men who gained infamy over the course of one weekend. Here, they appeared like respectable officers, heading out on some patrol, or heading home, but on Saturday night, their behaviour appeared more thug-like.

So, as with any of these types of interactions with the public, there are always 2 sides. There is the version that the officers involved give to their police bosses, which often paints them as responsible professionals doing their duty under adverse circumstances, and then, there are the allegations from the victims who often describe them as rogues who abuse their authority.

In this case, Coye and Madrill have given an account that is in stark contrast to what the camera captured. In this case, however, the camera is giving an unusual and unbiased account of what happened.

This is how the officers explained the incident,

ACP Keith Lino - OC, Professional Standards Branch
"The police and the public had a confrontation. The police were dealing with a female who allegedly was under the influence. The police reported that they had handcuffed this female and they were trying to put her under control to be escorted to the police station."

That all sounds innocent enough, but as the video shows, that the officers weren't gentle. In fact, they manhandled the woman.

That account is also corroborated by Alfredo Cowo, who rushed in to take a video recording to document the police excess.

Alfredo Cowo - Shot by Police
"The San Pedro QRT police beat up 2 girls. I went there and I took out my phone and I videoed it."

The Professional Standards Branch also received reports like that one.

ACP Keith Lino
"While they were doing that, it was then that the crowd believe that they (the police) had abused the female and they commence in aggressing the police."

The video clearly shows that bystanders were very incensed by the police's behaviour, and that's why they got involved.

The officers' account appears to gloss over those rather controversial details, and cuts to where they recklessly started firing shots at an angry crowd, endangering the lives of those around. But, to hear their version, it sounds as though they showed great restraint and professionalism.

ACP Keith Lino
"The police then reported to us that they attempted to protect themselves and it was then that the crowd continued to aggressed them. The police then took out their service revolvers and to try and deter the crowd from attacking them. So they use their firearms to shoot in the air as well as on the ground to avoid the people from attacking them."

The video shows a rather careless use of firearms. Keep in mind that these are deadly weapons, but the officer fires live rounds like it's pop-shot.

To show how dangerous their actions where, there were 4 people injured by those wild shots.

Alfredo Cowo
"Then when I turn around, PC Madrill knocked me with something, I don't know if it's the gun, but I just feel pain and I eyes start bleeding and then PC Coye started shooting and I got shot on my feet. I have about 13-14 pellets in my feet."

Enfield Henry - Shot by Police
"I was away on the street talking to my son and that was when the first two shots fired. I turn around and heard about 3-4 shots fired. That was probably when I got hit. The police officer was shooting on the ground. I turn around and I felt my face numb and warm. I told my son that I got shot. My son call the police and said "Norman you shot my father." If they shoot off a warning shot, I think they are supposed to be train that a warning shot shoots in the air."

From a viewer's perspective, it is almost automatic to condemn the actions of these officers, but, the man who's investigating their misconduct, was careful in his choice of words.

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Those snapshots showed the officers brandishing the firearms and pointing them at the ground and at people. It's a public relations nightmare for the police department. Would you acknowledge that?"

ACP Keith Lino
"Yes it's a challenge to us."

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"How many bullets were discharged from those service weapons?"

ACP Keith Lino
"We found about 10 expended shells out there."

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Is that unusual to find that many shells trying to defuse a situation with the public."

ACP Keith Lino
"I think it is reasonable."

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Is there any reason to believe that the officer who use their weapons were under the influence of alcohol?"

ACP Keith Lino
"We are looking at that angle likewise, because people are saying yes they were, but at this time we are looking at that. What I saw made me to believe that the police, their actions, it would appear that they weren't justified in what they did."

They two were arraigned in the Magistrates Court today. Constable Norman Coye has been charged with 2 counts of wounding, while Constable Darnell Madrill has been charged with 1 count. They were released on bail of $1,000 cash, and 1 or 2 sureties of the same. They must return to court on April 28, and their interdiction letters have already been sent from the Belmopan Police High Command. That means that they are removed from active duty, and they will be on half pay until the case is completed.

There is no indication that they will face firearms charges for the gunshot injuries that those 4 persons suffered due to those wild shots. Today in a release , the PUP said, QUOTE, "the reaction of the Commissioner of Police…does not go far enough in light of the fact that these police officers brought shame and disgrace to the Police Department..."