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The Supreme Court has ruled that the Belize Police Department’s policy against dreadlocks is unconstitutional. The case was before Justice Sonya Young this morning who handed down the judgment in favor of the five women police officers. Back in May 2019, the five women were disciplined internally for refusing an order to get rid of their dreads. After the matter was made public, disciplinary proceedings against the officers were put on hold while the department obtained legal advice. The women proceeded with legal action and were represented by attorney Leslie Mendez. In an interview with the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams today he stated that he has no issue with the ruling and they will adjust their policies accordingly.

WOMEN AND DREADS
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The five women are Aleea Wade, Shantel Berry, Vanessa Kerr, Crystal Morales, Maria Grinage, and Sergeant Christine Avila. Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa has taken to social media to applaud the judgement, saying, quote, “The essence of the case challenged the constitutionality of archaic regulations imposed on the women police officers that choose to wear dread locks or other natural hairstyles. I’ve been a proponent before - as I am today - and am hugely ecstatic for this proclamation. Surely, this is a good day. In a time when we, as a Department, are battling ethical issues with officers, we should be focusing on what the job before us actually needs to get done. It is time that “an officer is judged by the content of his character and not the style of her hair”. End of quote.///