COMPOL says police officers given similar directives regarding Eruption Nightclub

In a recent newscast, we told you of the order from the command of the Belize Defence Force where its soldiers are forbidden from patronizing the Eruption Nightclub in Ladyville, Belize District.  Love News sought feedback from the Police Commissioner, Chester Williams, who told us that he, too has issued directives to police officers, relating to Eruption Nightclub.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “I welcome it. I would say the police needs to do the same because we all know that the owner or someone related to the owner of that night club had been convicted for human trafficking and as security personnel we cannot associate ourselves with such people. As a matter of fact we have given directives that no police officer must work at Eruption Night Club. So if it is that any police officer is caught working there whether on or off duty that police officer will be dealt with severely.”

Reporter: Now from a legal standpoint are you infringing on their right of movement ?

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police:  “No I don’t think so. We have to understand that security forces personnel must be held to a higher standard. We cannot be held to the same standard as the ordinary person. We have been sworn to protect, we have been sworn to maintain the integrity of this country and in our process of signing up we agree that some of our rights as ordinary citizens will be taken away by virtue of the different acts either the Police Act, the Defense Act or the Coast Guard Act. It does stipulate certain things that can be done by the commanders or the departments to ensure that members stay in line.”

The order for the BDF soldiers was issued last Tuesday.