Police Brutality Claims Spark Investigations in Corozal

Both an internal and criminal investigation have been launched by the Belize Police Department following a violent altercation between officers in Corozal and villagers of Paraiso.  It is an incident caught on camera that has once again given a black eye to the Police Department.  The footage, widely shared on social media, shows police officers striking multiple individuals, including a woman, with batons. According to the police, the confrontation began yesterday evening when a mobile patrol attempted to stop a motorcyclist who was riding without a taillight. The man allegedly refused to comply and rode to his family’s residence in the village. Police say that when they tried to detain him there, several relatives obstructed and attacked the officers.  The Commissioner of Police, Dr. Richard Rosado’s version of the story differs from the family’s account of what happened.  When asked about the disparities in both versions, the Compol offered no real assurances. 

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police: “On Tuesday, 8th of July, 2025, at approximately 7pm police officers attached to Corozal Police Formation were escorting a complainant to the police station when their attention was drawn to a male person who was driving a motorcycle with no headlights illuminated and the male person was also not wearing a helmet. Police had to stop the individual. However, he refused to stop. Police then followed the individual to an area and upon detaining him and seeking to leave the location a group of individuals, some of whom were armed with bottles surrounded the police mobile thereby preventing the police from leaving. The police officers then requested assistance from the quick response team who arrive at the location approximately 10 minutes later, at which time the group of individuals who are relatives of the person who was detained were still preventing the police from leaving. The situation quickly escalated where several individuals were injured including four police officers. From the footage that I have seen, the video that was shown to me, I  can see that one of the behavior that I have seen from one of the police officers, at least one of the officers, is inconsistent with the standard expected from our police officers. But the department, I must add, has a zero tolerance approach to police brutality. And hence the reason we have instituted both a criminal and a disciplinary investigation to ascertain what exactly transpired.”

As a result of last night’s incident, several members of the Salazar family had been detained.  According to one villager, officers attached to the Corozal formation have been known to be abusive, and that despite reports, nothing has been done.  According to a report from the Police Department, several officers were assaulted with pint bottles, sticks, and even a metal bar. Corporal Arturo Leal sustained a head injury from a bottle, Triston Arzu was hit in the head with a metal bar, Asael Sanchez was struck on the arm with a stick, and Alvarez was punched in the face. Corporal Marin was also reportedly shoved to the ground, damaging his holster and police-issued chain. During a meeting with the media, Dr. Rosado reminded the public that about their conduct with police officers. 

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police: “I want to reaffirm our commitment to the principle of community policing which emphasizes deescalation, dialogue, and mutual respect. And these incidents that have recently transpired has made us realize that there is need for us to implement or reinforce these values which would require that we do additional training to enforce these values of deescalation, mutual respect and dialogue. So we have recognized that and we intend to put in the corrective measures. I want to reemphasize that a thorough and transparent investigation will be conducted or is being conducted into the allegation of misconduct or the excessive use of force by the police officers and any officers found to have violated the department’s policies or the law will face appropriate disciplinary action including potential criminal prosecution. I also want to echo that recent assaults on police officers, the resistance of unlawful unrest, undermine the community safety and the rule of law. While all citizens have rights I want to caution them about violent confrontation against the police because violent confrontation against the police is not justified. We want to implore on the public to comply during the lawful police action. And I also want to remind the public that the grievance should be addressed through the proper channel and not through confrontation with the police.”

Eight Paraiso Village residents are also currently under investigation for aggravated assault, wounding, obstruction, and damage to property. They have been identified as 36-year-old Miguel Salazar, 43-year-old Hugo Poncio, 23-year-old Javier Salazar, 34-year-old Jose Luis Salazar Jr., 29-year-old Cesar Salazar, 63-year-old Jose Luis Salazar Sr., 39-year-old Judith Salazar, and 31-year-old Samuel Salazar.