7 News Belize

Last week Thursday, the biggest news was about the Scotiabank robbery, the daring heist pulled off by 5 robbers, and the immediate response by police who caught the thieves, with the stolen money and weapons, all within 500 feet of the bank.

As has been widely reported, the cops also shot two of the robbers, killing one of them, Gasman Young.

Today, the cops who showed uncommon bravery and competence were rewarded at a special at the Raccoon Street Station and 7news was there:

Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police

"Two police officers were very instrumental in the apprehension of the persons who committed this crime. These police officers came under fire by these robbers and despite that, they ensured that they continued the pursuit until these robbers were caught, even knowing that their own lives were in danger. And they were outnumbered by these robbers."

The two constables were honoured today with promotions to corporal and a citation.

And though we can't show you their faces - they performed with bravery under fire.

Chester Williams

"These officers when they heard the transmission - they sprang quickly into auction and were able to catch up with the robbers, purse them and eventually caught all five of them. The property stolen was recovered, and two guns that were used in the in the commission of that robbery."

There was also recognition for the Precinct Four QRT operating out of the Belama Station:

Hon. Mike Peyrefitte - Minister of National Security

"You know somebody asked me the other day what's the pay of a policeman. When I tell them how much a constable or a corporal makes and when they see the job was being done out there that day with the Scotiabank situation, 10 out of 10 of those people I spoke to say you could never pay me to do that job for that price. So, I want to say thank you so much to the officers for that day, thank you to all police officers on you know what you put on the line to make the rest of us safe. People have a lot to say, you're the first to be criticized and the last to be recognized. So let today be at least one small part of that recognition."

But while there is that recognition, will there be a reckoning of the facts on the ground as they existed that day?

Jules Vasquez

"One can say, great, you're having an award ceremony but at the same time, a life was lost. Have you all even investigated to see if it was a justifiable use of lethal force?"

Chester Williams

"I don't want to sound like the commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago but I think you people indeed watch too much movies and you expect that the police will be under fire and the police must stay there and allow themselves to become open targets, that's not how it works. You're not watching Matrix Reloaded, no, let's be real, we live in the real world, the police officers have a right to protect themselves and to protect the wider public and while I'm not going to be the judge of the facts, as far as I am concerned, the police officers on that day in question performed exceptionally well, they were brave and they did what they needed to have done to bring down those robbers. I don't want to sound cynical too but all 5 of them could have died, let's be real."

Jules Vasquez

"In a situation like that, that's unfolding in real time and there is live gunfire but you're also in a public space, you're in the Brodies parking lot, obviously public safety is also a consideration, but you just had a bank robbery."

Chester Williams

"The officers stood their ground and did what they needed to have done to ensure that they were able to capture the robbers, avoiding having civilian casualties from either them or the robbers."

Jules Vasquez

"But my question is at the point of the persons are in the boat, was there a legitimate risk of them fleeing the vessel?"

Chester Williams

"These policemen have families they need to go home to as well. Have you ever been in a situation where you are being shot at? Have you? Try to experience that Mr. Vasquez and then you will understand where I am coming from."

8 officers got commendations & 6 got recognised for heroism and bravery.