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The cops say there is both a criminal and disciplinary side to the investigation and both are being n looked into:...

Edward Broaster, Deputy Commissioner (Operations)
"Those incidents that occurred in Caye Caulker are being investigated by the Caye Caulker police as well as the professional standard branch. We are investigating the incident as it relates to the police officer that had a fight with passengers of the water taxi as well as the incident subsequent to that incident where the officer was choked and detained."

Reporter
"Some in the LGBTQI community are calling the choking of the police officer - they are equating it to a hate crime and its one officer on another officer. What says the department in terms of that assertion?"

Edward Broaster
"Well that is no way close to the truth. There were several interventions to prevent several outbursts on the vessel and the officer subsequently subdued the individual who was belligerent in fighting with the passengers in the boat, so I would not associate that with no hate crime."

"As it pertains to the choke hold, we have not sanctioned that particular defence technique. Nevertheless, the officer that hit him after will be dealt with disciplinary wise."

Reporter
"Can you confirm if he is still detained and why? Will he be charged with anything?"

Edward Broaster
"Like I said when the Caye Caulker police conclude their investigation as well as professional standard branch, we will be determining what charges, if any, will be levied at the individual and or individuals in this matter. The least charges that can be levied on the individuals will be disorderly conduct, if not other serious charges. Any incident involving police officers that are not of a professional nature we condemned."

A statement this evening from UNIBAM says, "The coalition of LGBT led organizations demands that the Commissioner of Police ensure there is a thorough, impartial investigation of the entire incident, in particular of the actions of the Police Officers …as well as the actions of the women who were involved in the assault and battery of this individual."

Special Envoy for Women and Children, Kim Barrow posted a statement saying, quote, "Watching that video breaks my heart - it shows we have ways to go…Violence of this kind has no place in our society….The person attacked should have been offered protection and support by the police, why didn't this happen? Do we need to do a training sessions for our police officers on handling these situations? On how to address security for LGBT community?....Was a choke hold necessary? Is a slap to someone who poses NO THREAT at all warranted?"