Police Continue Manhunt for Gang Members After State of Emergency Crackdown

Tonight, police in the Belize and Cayo Districts remain on the hunt for alleged gang members, who eluded yesterday’s sweeping crackdown under the State of Emergency. The SOE initially sought to target some ninety-plus men, but after police filtered the individuals, the number dropped to a little above sixty. The measure seeks to quell the ongoing gang violence plaguing several communities after three murders were recorded over the past two weeks. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams provided an update on the operation.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “The police continue to be in search of a number of persons who are on the list and have not yet been located. We are doing our best to be able to locate those individuals. The press office will be issuing those wanted posters hopefully by the end of the day today. Where we will be seeking the public’s assistance in locating them.” 

Williams also responded to the criticism he faced for leaving the country during the State of Emergency. Many have questioned whether the ComPol should have remained in the country to oversee the operations. However, he believes his departure didn’t affect the police’s work.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “I spoke to those officers who I need to speak to to ensure that what needs to be put in place was put in place. I communicated with my minister and the Prime Minister in terms of the SOE and what we would want to achieve and then the planning process was done and it was executed. In terms of the school I had promised these students that I would be their guest speaker for their graduation. I would not have been contended leaving them hanging because they were really excited to see me and again it goes to show as much as you may say that people don’t like the Commissioner I did six guest speaking jobs this graduation period at six different schools. So I goes to show how much I am respected within the younger population and even among the older population like myself right ?”

Under the SOE, the men will serve a three-month remand.