Chokehold Question Follows Unitedville Arrest

And today we asked the police department if the officer’s use of the chokehold was justified or excessive? Back in 2021, then Commissioner of Police Chester Williams verbally indicated that the chokehold maneuver would be reconsidered. But ASP Stacy Smith says nothing was ever written in black and white to outlaw its use in the line of duty. So we asked her whether the maneuver was necessary this time. Here is how she responded.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“Firstly, I will say that the gentleman who was the subject of that detention has been formally arrested and charged for a number of offenses, including grievous harm, as the police officer suffered a broken arm in that interaction. By way of background, and you also alluded to it earlier, there is an issue when it comes to western Belize, Unitedville. We saw double murders earlier in the year, other incidents as well, because the sale of drugs in that area is something rampant and something that the police is trying to get ahead of. As it relates to the specific question about whether the conduct of the police officer is that which we are in alignment with or in support of, what I will say is that we have trained a number of officers in defensive tactics in relation to what maneuvers or strategies they are supposed to use when faced with such a situation. However, as much as you train somebody, when you are confronted with a particular situation, the paramount thing is that whatever force you use is proportionate and justified by the law as provided in the Criminal Code.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Specifically, is the chokehold maneuver sanctioned by the Belize Police Department in this instance?”

 

Stacy Smith

“As stated, a police officer, as much as any other civilian, has a right to protect themselves. As I also stated, there are defensive training tactics we use. I am not saying the chokehold is one such technique that is used. I am also saying that whatever action a police officer takes, as long as it does not supersede justifiable force and harm, which is the paramount consideration when it comes to the use of force, is something that is guided.”

 

We will keep following up this story.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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