Southside Resident Alleges Police Brutality Under SOE  

A Ceaser Ridge resident visited our studio today to make a complaint against the Belize Police Department following the enactment of State of Emergency in Belize City. The resident, Ashley Flowers, says she opened her door at around 6 a.m. on Tuesday after hearing police officers out front. Flowers says she was unaware that a State of Emergency had been declared so she questioned the intentions of the officers and sought to cooperate with them. She alleges that two officers physically assaulted her, pulled a gun at her boyfriend who was taking a shower, and then left without detaining anyone or finding anything illegal. Here is what she told us.

 

Voice of: Ashley Flowers, Belize City Resident

“While I had them entering into the home I told them morning and I asked them what are they looking for and if I could help them. No reply, just one lady answer and ask you and who live here. Just my son, my boyfriend and my granddad. But, I could really know what the go on and how I could help. So, she ask, who dah your bway, weh your bway name? So I said he is in the bathroom taking a shower, but I just want know what is going on, no answer. That is when one of the officers started to kick in and stomp in the door and they managed to open it. My boyfriend just gets to pull up his pants, not even had boxers on or anything like that. While they kick open the door deh shout hands up, put up your hand. That is when I pull out my phone, because I was cooperating with the officers. But they got me to the next point where I was being disrespectful and using obscenity and I was asking the officer why would you point the gun into his face. When he noticed the person in the bathroom wasn’t who he was looking for he went from there and started walking in my direction. I started to back up because he was in my face. I didn’t know it was a state of emergency until he started choking me and said if I don’t know what is a state of emergency. After he choked me he stone me between a stove and some tools my dad had and he stamped me to the side and punch me to the face. I still have swelling to the side of my head and the scratches and bruises on the side of my stomach.”

 

Flowers told News Five that she sought medical attention for her injuries and is currently on painkillers. She also alleges that a female police officer squeezed her shoulder with force and only let go when she informed them that she suffers from a heart condition. Flowers added that her rights were violated, and she hopes that she gets her day in court.