Outrage Grows After Police Detain Minors on Their Way to Football Game

The Belize Police Department is under fire after detaining four schoolboys who were simply on their way to a football match. The boys, all minors, were picked up by patrol officers on Saturday under the State of Emergency (SOE) regulations, which prohibit gatherings of three or more people in designated “hot spots.” But according to reports, the boys had only stopped briefly to chat with a friend when officers swooped in. The case landed before Chief Magistrate Deborah Rogers, who wasted no time in dismissing the charges. She called it a “victimless offense” and ordered the boys released. Despite the court’s ruling, police officials are standing by their decision. Commissioner of Police, Doctor Richard Rosado, has defended the officers’ actions, even as public concern mounts over what many see as an overreach of power.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police

“First of all, police department do acknowledge and recognize the decision fo the court and we do affirm our commitment to upholding the tule of law. My police officers were acting in good faith in accordance with the state of emergency regulation. The gathering that was happening while those individuals were detained was in an area of high risk and the police detention at the time was based on credible information to protect those individuals. Hence the reason I believe they acted in good faith. In moving forward it does require we look at alternative measures to guide those at risk from being harmed.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Was it about preventing those youths from being harmed?”

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“There are certain regulations put in place for public safety, all the police were doing was in good faith enforcing the regulation.”

 

Critics argue the incident highlights the sweeping and potentially harmful impact of the SOE, especially on young people. Human rights advocates are now calling for a review of how these emergency powers are being enforced and whether they’re doing more harm than good.