Police Department reverts to old way of communication

Posted: Saturday, January 7, 2017. 11:32 a.m. CST.

By BBN Staff: Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie, yesterday during a meeting of police top brass at the Raccoon Street police station in Belize City, announced that police formation commanders would no longer be made available to the media for information and interviews.Instead, the media will be directed to the police press officer for all related information and interviews. The media, however, has responded to the decision with hostility and criticism as many view it as an impediment to the free flow of and access to crucial information.

The department now says all information will pass through its press office and its press officer, however, many members of the media are strongly against this and have expressed very little confidence in the efficiency of such a process. Prior to 2013, that is how the media accessed police information but a few years ago ComPol Whylie implemented a change within the department, which allowed the media access to interviews from various police commanders across the country.

The police press department will be meeting with the media next week to discuss the matter.