Belize Police Department says Leader of Opposition deliberately misinforming Belizeans

Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2024. 4:45 pm CST.

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: The Belize Police Department (BPD) has issued a statement following the State of the Nation response address by Opposition Leader Moses Barrow.

The Belize Police Department refuted claims regarding rising crime statistics, specifically a reported 40% increase in murder rates and the circumstances surrounding the death of Daniel Caal.

The department emphasized the need to correct “his deliberate attempts to misinform the Belizean people.”

While acknowledging that crime remains a challenge, the police department highlighted significant progress in reducing major crimes, with overall incidents down by 54% compared to the previous year.

Specific statistics reveal a slight decrease in murders, from 66 in 2023 to 65 in 2024, as well as notable drops in robbery and burglary rates.

The data also showed that robbery and burglary were down this year.

“Secondly, for the Leader of Opposition to have stated proudly that Caal was murdered in Police Custody, even after he had heard the result of the post-mortem examination, is both reckless and desperate. We sympathize with the family of Caal for their tragic loss. The attempt by the Leader of the Opposition to use Caal’s death to score political points is pathetic,” the BPD added.

The BPD also shared improvements made over the past 4 years, including promotions, awards for service, enhanced station conditions, and mental health resources for officers, reaffirming their commitment to fostering a collaborative approach to combat crime in Belize.

“The hardworking men and women of the Belize Police Department will continue to work with the Belizean people to fight the scourge of crime. We recognize that crime is everyone’s problem and the only way we can win is by working together,” the BPD expressed.

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