The Minister of National Security on Wednesday November 21 announced that it is establishing a better way in which it will deal with complaints arising from activities of all its law enforcement arms. Hon. John Saldivar explained that a countrywide team of well-respected members of the community have been appointed to make up an investigating and advisory body that will look into complaints against security forces. The committee will be headed by former Police Commissioner, Gerald Westby. He is joined by Ian Glory from Corozal, Baldemar Gomez from Orange Walk, Martin Griffith from Belize City, Roberso Marin from Cayo, Sarita Kerr from Stann Creek and Cecilia Mahung from Toledo.
Minister Saldivar says that the goal is to ensure that complaints against members of the security forces including the Police, BDF and Coast Guard are properly dealt with in a timely fashion. He added that it is expected that civilians will be more comfortable in making their complaints. Additionally, the committee will relieve the Commissioner from having to deal with these types of complaints.
Gerald Westby told the media that the first order of business for the team is to receive all outstanding complaints. They will look at these and see that they are dealt with. He added that each complaint will be given 60 days during which an investigation will be carried out and if there is substance to the complaint, the person to be charged will be served with either disciplinary or criminal charges.
The body will meet once a month and will have liaisons from each branch of law enforcement.
