ComPol: my officers complied with Speaker’s instructions, but it looked bad

The House Meeting held two weeks ago, by all scope of the imagination, was epic. Cayo South area rep., Julius Espat was literally picked up and carried out of the Chambers and, when he further refused, was manhandled by security forces. The Leader of the Opposition was also assaulted in the process and a media colleague was literally dragged out like a sow for standing up for his right. But did the police use excessive force?

Allen Whylie, ComPol

Allen Whylie

“Well optically it looks bad, but of course, you must understand that the police operates on the instructions of the Speaker. And whilst I believe that the police exercised great restraint in terms of not having to resort to force, it was obvious that force was required because the member refused to comply with the Speaker’s instructions or refused to comply with the police directive in terms of several officers having spoken to him. I believe that on both sides perhaps a little bit more dialogue or rationale could have been used. It is an unfortunate incident in terms of the media; it is an unfortunate incident in terms of the member, but we have got to learn from these issues and when these things develop, I am certain that from this past experience, we will do better. But I won’t fault the police officers in complying with the instructions.”

Reporter

“When the police officers started to push the leader of the oppositions once they had gotten Mr. Espat outside the physical chamber and they were in what would be called the anti-room and Mr. Briceño told the he is outside stop and then they started to push Mr. Briceño and created quite a scene there as well, in your opinion did those officers act in the soundest judgment or were they emotional and too riled up?”

Allen Whylie

“Well, as I said hinds sight is always a good thing, I think the issue was whether or not they were considered out of the house and that we are seeking clarification of the speakers officer because our view is that the house is the house sp you are out of the house by being downstairs.”