Police Officer Named in Budna Abduction Now on Full-Pay Suspension

The police officer accused of allegedly helping in the abduction of Joseph Budna in Orange Walk Town in August is now off interdiction and on full-pay suspension.

Police Constable Barrington Mai (Flowers) was initially interdicted on September 8, 2025, after a letter from the Belize Police Department informed him that he would be taken off active duty and receive half his salary while the case was being investigated. The letter also made clear that all police powers and privileges vested in him as a constable were to be held in abeyance.

That letter stated: “Whilst interdicted, you will receive one-half of your monthly salary. As it relates to your allowances, only your housing allowance will be paid to you. Additionally, all powers and privileges vested in you as a constable shall be held in abeyance, but you shall continue to be subjected to the same discipline and penalties as if you had not been interdicted.”

Less than a month later, on October 3, 2025, that decision was reversed. A second letter dated October 3, 2025, signed by the Acting Commissioner of Police Bartholomew Jones, amended the first order.

It stated that “The Commissioner of Police has approved your suspension from active duty effective 8th September, 2025, pending inquiry into the allegation that you assisted in the abduction of Joseph (Ryan) Budna.”

It further ordered that “During the period of suspension, you shall receive your full salary. You are to make yourself available when so required during the investigation. The half salary withheld for the period 12th September, 2025, to 3rd October, 2025, will be returned to you.

 

Meanwhile, Jones said on September 19 that “if it means that a police officer may have reneged on his duty, if that is the finding, then he will be put before a disciplinary tribunal, as the case may be. So we’ll just wait to see what the results are of the investigation will be.”

For his part, Mai has denied all allegations and maintains his innocence.