This is a list of cases of police brutality in Belize since the 2000s. This list includes non-fatal cases of excessive or unwarranted use of force by military non-military law enforcement officers, whether proven merely alleged. This list does include fatal cases.
2020s
Date Name (age) District (place) Description Ruling Nb James Efrimea Belize (Belize) Efrimea, a Sierra Leone citizen, contended he was illegally detained, since he was still imprisoned despite having served his sentence (for an immigration offence) and having provided funds for his deportation. Efrimea accused an immigration officer of extortion. ? several detainees Belize (Belize) Several of 45 allegedly gang-affiliated men detained during a 30-day state of emergency from 28 July claimed corrections and law enforcement officers had denied them access to legal counsel. ? Abi Aladdin Belize (Hattieville) Aladdin, a Haitian citizen seeking refuge, was deported to Guatemala without being allowed to appear in court. Director of Immigration (Debra Estrada) stated 'there was an order for Aladdin's removal.' ? two people Orange Walk (?) A pregnant Haitian couple were allegedly denied food and water while detained by immigration officers, requiring hospitalisation. Immigration Minister (Eamon Courtenay) denied the accusation, stating they 'were treated appropriately.' ? Shamar Foster Belize (Belize) Foster, a tour guide and student, was physically abused by police constable Albert Martinez and police corporal Linda Chan at the municipal airport. Foster claimed Martinez accosted him for being a young black man who did not 'look like a tour guide,' slapped him in the face, threatened to use his firearm, and accused Foster of assaulting an officer. Witnesses claimed Martinez smelled strongly of alcohol. Martinez and Chan disciplined Cherisse Halsall Belize (San Pedro) Halsall, a 7 News reporter, was forcibly removed by police officers from the CARICOM–SICA Summit, per the Press Office director's instructions. 7 News called the incident 'a flagrant and foul muzzling of the free press.' ? David Small Cayo (Santa Elena) Amateur video showed police officers Wilton Montero and Jerome Ingram abusing an unarmed Small who was in handcuffs and appeared unconscious. Montero and Ingram disciplined and charged; trial outcome not clear Vejea Alvarez Orange Walk (Orange Walk) Alvarez, a Love FM radio reporter, was assaulted and falsely detained and charged by police sergeant Evaristo Cobb while covering a protest by nurses at Northern Regional Hospital. Cobb threatened to beat Alvarez if he did not exit the hospital, punched him in the chest, detained him at the police station, and again threatened Alvarez when he complained. Cobb disciplined various inmates Belize (Hattieville) Amateur video showed corrections officers at Central Prison pepper spraying handcuffed inmates directly in the face, forcing an inmate to ingest large quantities of water until they vomited, and a paralysed inmate suffering from bedsores. The prison governor told press 'the mistreatment featured in the video did not occur at the prison.' The HRC called the appointment of visiting justices to the Prison as mandated by law. ? one teen (19) Cayo (Succotz) A 19 year old woman reported that police constable Edgar Teul sexually assaulted her thrice while she waited to sign bail documents at the police station for the release of her common law husband. Teul dismissed and charged; trial outcome not clear various unionists Belize (Belize) The dismissal of 36 stevedores prompted a peaceful protest by Christian Workers' Union members, which was met with force by GSU police officers, who used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, injuring several men. Commanding officer dismissed two people Belize (Belize) A man and a woman with mental disabilities were allegedly forced into a sexual act by police officers Jason Shaw, Leslie Martinez, and Anthony Villamil, who then filmed the act and released it to the public. Three officers charged; trial outcome not clear 100s people Belize (Belize) During two states of emergency (30-day from 18 March, and 90-day from 6 July), there were reports that police officers and soldiers used excessive force on residents, damaged property, and unjustly targeted law-abiding residents. Upon the second SOE's expiry on 6 October, 110 persons were still detained awaiting trial. ? Francis Nolberto Belize (Belize) Nolberto claimed police officers scalded him with hot water and pulled out his hair when he was picked up to be questioned about a stolen mobile phone. ? Rupert Lulofs Belize (Hattieville) Lulofs, a South African national, alleged he was illegally detained at Central Prison beyond his seven-day sentence for immigration offences. Prison authorities failed to release him until February 2021. ?
2010s