Police Constable Charged After Allegedly Slapping Fellow Officer During Traffic Stop

31-year-old Police Constable Luwis Pascascio appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, charged with aggravated assault on fellow officer Jose Mejia. Police say the incident occurred on Saturday, while Mejia and another officer were on patrol along St. Thomas Street in the city. Officers reportedly observed a vehicle that allegedly ran a red light at the corner of St. Thomas and St. Joseph Streets. The vehicle later stopped at the Puma Gas Station on Freetown Road. According to reports, Mejia approached the vehicle with his service pistol drawn due to heavily tinted windows, which prevented him from identifying the driver. Pascascio then allegedly exited the vehicle and advanced aggressively toward the officer. Despite being told to stop after Mejia identified himself as police, Pascascio reportedly continued forward and slapped him across the face, causing a small cut to his lower lip. Police say Mejia subdued Pascascio, detained him, and transported him to the Queen Street Police Station. Pascascio was later arraigned before the Chief Magistrate alongside his attorney, Oscar Selgado. He was granted bail on the condition that he remained at least 100 feet away from the complainant. He is due back in court on July 30. This is not the first time Pascascio has faced criminal charges. In 2024, he was charged with aggravated assault involving a firearm, but the matter was later withdrawn after the complainant requested no further court action.