Man Claims Police Abused Him; Police Say Not So

Police have provided their side of an incident in Independence Village, where a man claims he was abused by officers. Twenty-four-year-old Emil Rivas was detained at the Belize Bank compound and charged with possessing a knife and resisting arrest. Rivas, who says he has asthma, alleges that he was stripped down to his boxers and left in a cold cell. He also claims that after police told him to run, they beat him and shot him in the stomach and back. However, the police tell a different story. They say Rivas found a machete in a yard and brandished it at them, which led to them shooting him. Today, A.C.P. Hilberto Romero shared the police’s version of events.

 

A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Friday, the 24th of January 2025, Emil Rivas was detained at Independence for aggravated assault after it is alleged that he had assaulted somebody with a knife. He was taken into custody, where at the station, he jumped out of the back of a police vehicle where he received some injuries. He was immediately apprehended and taken to the cell. where he was detained. Then on Saturday morning, while the cell was being cleaned, he ran from the police who were cleaning the cell. He went to a nearby house where it is alleged that he armed himself with a machete. The police cornered him, and there was a struggle. Attempts were made to disarm him from the machete. A warning shot was fired, but that did not work. At some point, then the police officer shot him to the leg.  He’s presently admitted in a stable condition. As in every police shooting, an investigation will be carried out by the Professional Standards Branch.”

 

Reporter

“Is a particular police officer being looked at in this incident, someone who has been involved in this kind of thing before?”

 

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“Well, there are several police officers that were involved, some at the cell block and some who brought him into custody.”

 

Reporter

“We understand that his mom was turned away allegedly by police when they took him to the hospital. Is it a policy that someone is under detention, family members are not allowed access?”

 

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“I’m not aware of that but if he’s in police custody, then at some point, yes, she can visit.”

 

Reporter

“He has several injuries on him and the allegation is that some of those injuries were inflicted by police. How do you respond?”

 

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“Again, the report is that he jumped out of the back of a police vehicle, he received injuries. Thereafter, efforts were made to try and disarm him from the machete, so some force was used on him. So again, I said an investigation will be carried out.”