And while the Commissioner hopes the new penalty will straighten out a few rogue cops, there may be more than a few "bad apples" within the force.
Case in point Corporal Elton Eligio, he's the cop who last year was charged for a flurry of traffic offenses in a fatal accident, including manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, driving without a valid drivers license, driving an unlicensed motor vehicle, negligent grievous harm, and failing to provide a specimen for testing.
And tonight Elijio is back in the news and on remand at the Belize Central Prison for a whole new set of offenses, two criminal and one traffic offense. Here's what ACP Joesph Myvette told us about how Eligio, a lawman who allegedly tried to outrun the law.
ACP Joseph Myvette, Head, NCIB
"Also on Saturday some time around 6:35p.m. police officers on patrol on the George Price highway somewhere near the Faber's Road roundabout spotted a balck Toyota Rav 4 vehicle heading toward Belize City and as a result the vehicle was pursued and instead the driver accelerated faster but he was eventually caught up with by the officers he was learned to be one Elton Elijio 41 years police Corporal of a Lemonal village address at the time he had in his possession a 9 millimeter pistol for which he was detained and he was eventually later arrested and charged for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm whilst under the influence of alchol and being in possession of an unlicensed firearm. Actually the weapon is licensed to him and it had not be renewed for, i'm not certain of the period but it was licensed to him."
Eligio's lawyer Dickie Bradley believes that since his client is not charged with possession of a firearm but rather possession of a firearm whilst under the influence of alcohol, he meets the current requirement of special circumstances for bail as required by the law.
It is expected that a special bail hearing will be set for the officer as early as tomorrow.
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