BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC—Police Commissioner Chester Williams has dismissed an announcement by the Affiliation of Protection Attorneys following remarks by which he expressed disappointment with the outcomes of a number of courtroom rulings.
Within the newest case involving Belizean-American Jaron James was fined BDZ$1,500 (One Belize greenback=US$0.49 cents) after he was charged with assaulting the highest cop.
Williams later instructed reporters that he felt the fantastic was not a harsh sufficient punishment. Moreover, Williams mentioned that he believed the costs levied in opposition to a senior police officer, who was accused of abusing a detainee, had been extreme.
The affiliation mentioned Williams’ feedback bordered on contempt and that he ought to stop from such.
It mentioned that, as a public officer and the top of a authorities division beneath the Ministry of Residence Affairs, he isn’t free to make any opposed pronouncement in opposition to the integrity of the Courts.
“His public statements border on contempt and should stop from such habits and be guided by the rule of regulation and the authorized selections of our nation’s judiciary,” it added.
However in response, Williams mentioned he’s entitled to his opinion and that when “a type of similar members of the Affiliation for Protection Attorneys had gone and given an interview to the media and mentioned that we’re bringing white judges to ship black individuals to jail. Was there any concern with this?
“I’d say that border contempt of courtroom as effectively. We now have a society the place some individuals really feel they’ll do sure issues. However when others do lower than what they did, they need to make a difficulty.”
Williams mentioned that the affiliation, whereas he has the utmost respect for its members, “their job is to defend these individuals who fall inside the area of the police who’ve dedicated a criminal offense.
“And, after all, they may do all they’ll to be sure that they defend their constituents. As a Commissioner of Police, I’m accountable not simply to myself however to the nation and the officers I do know.
“And I preserve my place that the identical means we’re saying to law enforcement officials, don’t abuse the general public, as a result of for those who do, you’re going to jail. In the identical means, we should inform the general public, don’t abuse the police, as a result of for those who do, you’re going to jail.”
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