And as it relates to Raheem Usher, the ComPol confirmed today that he was a licensed gun holder. However, he emphasized that Usher was also a member of the Coast Guard, which might have led to his application being green lit. Here's how he put it.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Yes he was a member of the coast guard and yes he had a licensed firearm."
Jules Vasquez:
"Did you issue him the license?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I cannot say but if I did he would have been a member of the security forces so."
Jules Vasquez:
"But Raheem Usher had a licensed firearm and Curtis Usher had a licensed firearm."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"We have discussed Curtis Usher before you know I was not the one who issued that."
Jules Vasquez:
"Yeah but I'm just saying that we see persons in a family involved with narco elements from the north and they are licensed gun holders."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"But we have to be fair. Raheem Usher was a member of the Belize Coast Guard, he was a member of the security force. When he entered the coast guard, there was no information of him being connected to any narco if not the coast guard would not have recruited him. And for me, when I was the licensing authority, any police officer, BDF or coast guard who applied for a license to hold a gun, so long as their vetting is clean I would give it to them because I understand the risk that is associated with you being a member of the security forces in this country. So it would not be a prudent thing for me to deny them licenses. I cannot speak to why coast guard parted ways with Raheem, I'm not the commander of coast guard, I think he can answer that question if he were to be asked but certainly when he did get his firearm license, his vetting was clean and he was a member of the Belize coast guard."
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