BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC—Police Commissioner Chester Williams has dismissed a statement by the Association of Defense Attorneys following remarks in which he expressed disappointment with the results of several court rulings.
In the latest case involving Belizean-American Jaron James was fined BDZ$1,500 (One Belize dollar=US$0.49 cents) after he was charged with assaulting the top cop.
Williams later told reporters that he felt the fine was not a harsh enough punishment. Additionally, Williams said that he believed the charges levied against a senior police officer, who was accused of abusing a detainee, were excessive.
The association said Williams’ comments bordered on contempt and that he should cease from such.
It said that, as a public officer and the head of a government department under the Ministry of Home Affairs, he is not free to make any adverse pronouncement against the integrity of the Courts.
“His public statements border on contempt and must cease from such behavior and be guided by the rule of law and the legal decisions of our nation’s judiciary,” it added.
But in response, Williams said he is entitled to his opinion and that when “one of those same members of the Association for Defense Attorneys had gone and given an interview to the media and said that we are bringing white judges to send black people to jail. Was there any concern with this?
“I would say that border contempt of court as well. We have a society where some people feel they can do certain things. But when others do less than what they did, they want to make an issue.”
Williams said that the association, while he has the utmost respect for its members, “their job is to defend those persons who fall within the domain of the police who have committed a crime.
“And, of course, they will do all they can to make sure that they defend their constituents. As a Commissioner of Police, I am responsible not just to myself but to the country and the officers I know.
“And I maintain my position that the same way we’re saying to police officers, don’t abuse the public, because if you do, you’re going to jail. In the same way, we must tell the public, don’t abuse the police, because if you do, you’re going to jail.”
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