Defence Force’s Top 3 Officers Past Retirement, Juniors May Sue

The leadership of the Belize Defence Force is under fire tonight, but not from Guatemala. Internal information forwarded to News Five indicates that several senior officers may be in violation of their mandatory retirement ages from the force. This includes the man holding over for retired Brigadier General David Jones. The top leadership is said to be aware of the situation. Our sources indicate that the fairly young retirement ages listed in the amended regulations passed by Statutory Instrument in August of 2016, is due to a rigorous lifestyle and work environment and was originally imposed by the British. In the case of two particular senior officers, they have continued working for more than two years after their original retirement dates. One of those officers was sent on an international course for a year and then bonded to the force for two additional years. The third officer, senior to the first two, is also past his retirement date, but is said to be lobbying for these men to be promoted. Those with knowledge of the situation say B.D.F. officers subordinate to these men may decide to sue, due to the belief that their own progress is being blocked, and in fact many are seeking legal advice, including that of the Solicitor General.