Police Commissioner Denies Political Role in Alberto August Release

Commissioner of Police Dr. Richard Rosado is pushing back against suggestions that political interference played a role in the release of former UDP Chairman Alberto August from police custody last month. Rosado was questioned today after reports surfaced alleging that Prime Minister John Briceño had instructed him to facilitate August’s release from the San Ignacio Police Station on May 31. When asked directly about the reported intervention, Commissioner Rosado questioned the source of the information and firmly stated that no elected official has ever contacted him seeking special treatment or favors in relation to a police investigation.

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police: “Man sometimes I don’t know where you’re getting your information from. Since I assumed tenure as the Commissioner of Police no politician has ever called me to assist for a favor. But what I will say in terms is the matter is before the court with Alberto August so I don’t want to get into the details. But the public needs to understand that while they have a right to freedom of speech including political discourse, political commentary or even criticism of policy there is a legal threshold when you intentionally use social media to demean, to humiliate or to spread false information. Those conduct do not constitute protected speech and it may be held for criminal liability for those individuals.”

Reporter: So you’re convinced that this charge is going stick going through the court process ? 

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police:  “I am confident that an offense was committed and I am confident that the police department will have a successful prosecution.”

The issue surrounding August’s cellular phones has also attracted public attention after he claimed on social media that any attempt to force access to his devices with assistance from the United States Embassy or the U.S. State Department would amount to a violation of his constitutional right to privacy. Responding to questions on the matter, Commissioner Rosado explained that there is an established legal process governing the extraction of data from electronic devices seized during criminal investigations. He emphasized that investigators do follow the law and obtain the necessary judicial authorizations before any forensic examination of a cellular phone can be conducted.

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police:“Please appreciate that there’s certain protocols, procedures the investigator must follow whenever they’re investigating crimes that involve digital evidence. Let me say this, we have one specialized unit within the police department that is in Belize City that has a license and operational celebrite that is used to extract and analyze digital evidence. However before we access any devices we must seek the warrant from the court. That process is being applied for for us to get the warrant in order for the necessary extraction and analysis to be done.”

The matter stems from August’s arrest on May 30, when he was detained for more than twenty-four hours while police investigated a cyberbullying complaint filed by then Minister of Home Affairs Oscar Mira over a Facebook post. August was subsequently charged under the Cybercrime Act and released.