BELIZE: NEW GOVERNMENT REQUESTS LAW ENFORCEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BELMOPAN 000109 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR WHA/CEN - R. BEAL, INL E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2018 TAGS: PREL SNAR SOCI PINR ASEC BH SUBJECT: BELIZE: NEW GOVERNMENT REQUESTS LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE Classified By: Ambassador Robert J. Dieter for reason 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) During the Ambassador's initial meeting with Prime Minister Dean Barrow (reported septel),the PM made a pitch for wireless intercept equipment for the Police Special Branch. He said that the capability was essential to anti-drug and anti-gang efforts in Belize. In response we noted that a similar request had been made by the previous government. The capability the police were looking for was fairly expensive, and more importantly Belize's legislation governing communications intercepts was antiquated and could be read to prohibit such activity. Barrow said that he was open to ideas on implementing legislation that would provide for oversight and approval of wiretap and intercept requests and noted that the new government enjoys a majority that enables it to amend the constitution if necessary. ¶2. (C) Barrow acknowledged the cost of the intercept equipment, and said that if it were too expensive for us to provide that we consider instead equipping the National Forensic Lab with DNA as well as ballistics analysis capability. We noted that the USG has provided some DNA training as well as equipment for the lab including a comparison microscope for ballistics. ¶3. (C) Separately, National Security Minister Carlos Perdomo told the Ambassador that he was looking at the idea of requesting assistance to polygraph police officers as a way to begin weeding out corrupt members of the force. His new Chief Executive Officer (Deputy Minister equivalent), retiring Belize Defense Force Commander Lloyd Gillett, has previously requested USG assistance in polygraphing members of the counter-terrorist unit. They intend to review gun permitting controls and raised the need for ballistics testing as a way of identifying licensed firearms. ¶4. (C) COMMENT: Initial meetings with the new government have given some encouraging signs of a serious commitment to tackle crime and corruption problems. We were not enthusiastic about the previous government acquiring communications intercept technology because of the lack of oversight and the possibility that it would be used for purposes other than law enforcement or national security intelligence collection. If Barrow carries through with new legislation that offers the prospect of the equipment being used strictly as intended we believe the idea is definitely worthy of consideration. We have supported and helped equip the Forensic Lab in a number of areas including ballistics capability but more assistance may be needed to fully develop the lab's ballistics capability. We consider the lab to be a very worthwhile organization, but whether developing DNA capability is the most effective use of money right now is not clear. The proposal to vet police officers could be a very cost-effective way to weed out corruption and we believe we should seize this opportunity. END COMMENT. DIETER