A troubling case of alleged police misconduct is unfolding in Cotton Tree, Belize, where a local resident claims to be targeted by the same officer who reportedly shot him days earlier. Akeem Jones, who spoke to media earlier this week, alleged that an officer shot him in the arm while his back was turned during an incident on Tuesday night. According to Jones’ account, the officer had been pursuing one of his relatives and redirected aggression toward him when the chase proved unsuccessful.
The situation took a dramatic turn on Thursday morning when Jones’ sister, Norma Lemott, reported that the identical officer involved in the shooting incident had taken her brother into custody. The detention occurred while Jones was reportedly en route to file a formal complaint with the Professional Standards Branch regarding the earlier shooting.
In an emotional telephone interview, Lemott challenged the official narrative, stating: ‘The police claim my brother assaulted an officer, but where is the charge sheet? At no point was my brother guarded by police after the shooting, and no charges were presented until after he spoke to the media. This appears to be a clear attempt to cover up what happened and justify the officer’s actions.’
The family has announced they are retaining legal counsel to address what they characterize as a retaliatory detention and an effort to obstruct justice. Lemott emphasized the fundamental role of police as public servants, stating: ‘Police officers are to serve and protect. You can’t target innocent people simply because you have the power to do so.’
The case has drawn attention to police accountability procedures in Belize, particularly regarding how allegations of officer misconduct are investigated and addressed through official channels.