Belizeans React to ComPol Rosado’s Return from Leave

It’s been four days since Dr. Richard Rosado returned to his post as Commissioner of Police. Rosado had been placed on forty-five days leave during the police’s investigation into the abduction of Joseph Budna. However, just twenty-three days into his leave, Assistant Commissioner Suzette Anderson submitted her report, which found no evidence implicating Rosado and he was immediately asked to resume his duties. His return was slammed by Opposition Leader, Tracy Taegar-Panton, who called it a “direct insult” to the Belizean people. Although Cabinet has given the green light for an independent investigation, critics argue that their faith in the department has been compromised. Today, we asked Belizeans how confident they feel in Commissioner Rosado’s leadership and the police department’s ability to tackle the recent surge in crime across Belize City.

 

Britney Gordon

“And then recently we saw commissioner Police, Dr. Richard Rosado came back, after the investigation. Are you confident that he can lead the police department?”

 

Belize City Resident 1

“I’m trying to have some hope. I’m waiting to see what we will hear, but I think he can do it. Yeah I give him the benefit of the doubt. I think he can do it.”

 

 

 

Britney Gordon

“So you trust the police department to, do their job and you have faith that they’ll be able to, provide some peace for you guys?”

 

Belize City Resident 1

“Yes, I do. I do. I trust in them. Yes.”

 

Belize City Resident 2

“How could we trust Dr. Richard Rosado? I’m really sad. I no know Dr. Rosado as somebody like that. But it is clear when Rosado speak on the TV with the matter with Mr. Budna That Rosado mi di lie. If wa investigation di happen and ney serious bout investigate this matter with Budna. Now that is why you can see why crime the happened out here. There is footage that is showing that police are involved and they should have already charged these individual weh they see pan the footage. Especially the police who went on the scene and turned back, fi neglect of duty.”

 

 

 

Belize City Resident 3

“I don’t know Mr. Rosado I only hear that he got that position. The first time I saw him was when he was in that post. Don’t know the guy, don’t know nothing about him. When it come to the police department, a lot of time we don’t like the police. But a lot of time things happen, who we have to go to, we have to go to the police. So that’s my answer.”

 

 

Britney Gordon

“Do you have faith in him to lead the department?”

 

Voice of: Belize City Resident 4

“Inna wa way, yeah I have faith in him. Like weh I tell you, all kind of thing di happen da  Belize right now. You noh know weh fi go because right now me and you could walk out yah and the moment you noh know weh wah happen. Like mne right yah. I live da Martin’s and back deh serious and you can’t walk out there how you and me have pikni. So it noh safe da Belize.”

 

 

 

 

Britney Gordon

“Do you trust the police Department?”

 

Voice of: Belize City resident 4

“Inna one way, I can’t she fully but inna one way yes, I trust them.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Do you trust him to lead the department?”

 

Los Lagos Resident

“Yes, I trust him. I trust him.”

 

Britney Gordon

“And so you have faith in the police department to restore peace within our community?”

 

Los Lagos Resident

“To a certain extent.”