Citizens Can Record Police Officer Actions for Transparency

ASP Yearwood also made some clarifications about a civilian’s right to video record an officer during a search. According to Yearwood, a police officer cannot stop a civilian from recording his actions, contrary to what the officer attempted to do in this weekend’s incident. Furthermore, Yearwood reminded the public that a police officer is obligated to give his name and rank upon request.

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Communications Director, Belize Police Department

“In this case the upholder is as bad as the thief. If you the supervisor didn’t know what your role was at that time, to bring that situation to normalcy or to put it to a complete halt, I cannot say that from what I saw in the video this person was being life threatening to the police or uncooperative. I don’t know what kind of say that officer was having but his behavior is not going to be tolerated by the Police Department. The public is outraged by that video. We have to do everything our power to reassure the public that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. But, any ranking member of the Police Department, from constable up to the commander we took an oath for preservation of life and property and I did not see anything in that video that warranted the officer to be so aggressive.”

Reporter

“What is the protocol for when accused persons begin to video the police?”

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Communications Director, Belize Police Department

“I am certain the Commissioner has addressed this on many occasions. We cannot stop you from using your personal device if you believe that we are doing something wrong. Even if we are not doing anything wrong, if I come and ask you for a search, and you are with any person and that person believe to show transparency, it is best I video it, we the police have nothing to hide, unless the police has something to hide, then you would be offended if someone is videoing a normal search. I know for a fact, if you ask me my name and my regulation number and rank we are obligated to the public to give you that.”