Eastern Division North Names August and September’s Top Cops
Two good cops were today recognized for their work and commitment to the Belize Police Department. Every month, the Department awards an officer with the “Officer of the Month” award. News Five stopped in today’s ceremony to speak with the officers for the months of August and September who are attached the Tourism Police Unit and Prosecution Branch respectively:
WPC Sharlette Ingrid Andrews, Officer of the Month of September
“I appreciate the award simply because I know that I am a hard working person from day one, since I have been in the job for seventeen years now I have been working hard. From Tourism Police for eight years, I used to work with Ms Philips. She knows me that I am a very hard worker and now I am at prosecution branch, I work even harder because I deal with most criminals.”
Andrea Polanco
“What motivates you each day to get up and work as hard as you do?”
Sharlette Ingrid Andrews
WPC Sharlette Ingrid Andrews
“Well, simply, because I love my job. I must say being a Police Officer sometimes it is very hard. It is challenging but I love my job. And hey, this is what pays me, so I have to love doing it.”
Andrea Polanco
“Will this award push to work even harder?”
WPC Sharlette Ingrid Andrews
“Yeah. I will never stop work hard until I leave this job because as a police officer you are working like 24/7, so I cannot stop.”
Hpesoj Bevans
Hpesoj Bevans, Tourism Police, Officer of the Month of August
“This award has meant a lot to me because I know I have worked hard. I have heard from Ms. Philips, my OC, that she really appreciates how I work hard. When they put me on my beat, I never left. I am always there. If I need to go, I always ask permission and they admire the way how I transmit through the radio.”
Andrea Polanco
“What is the one thing that you enjoy the most about your job?”
Hpesoj Bevans
“Well, if you listen to me, I love talking. I meet people and we discuss and I learn all kinds of things out there in the street.”
Andrea Polanco
“Will this award push you to work harder and would you like to get another award for ‘Officer for the Month?’”
Hpesoj Bevans
“Yes, this will make me work even harder. I have an ambition that I will work toward getting another one.”
Carol Tucker
Supt. Carol Tucker, O.C., Prosecution Branch
“Well, I find it very helpful to give them an award for the month to boost their morale in the job. To show them that we as supervisors are really noticing the good and hard work that they are doing.”
Reporter
“What is the process for choosing who wins each award?”
Supt. Carol Tucker
“When they are punctual at work and they work extra time. We work eight to five and pertaining to Ms Andrea sometimes she goes home after 8 because she escorts prisoners, female prisoners, to and from prison.”
Andrea Polanco
“The awards – have these motivated the officers to put in that extra work?”
Supt. Carol Tucker
“Yes, I have noticed that. What I also notice too, they would come earlier. Sometimes they will come to work after seven and they would stay longer at the officer and put in extra work at the office or the court.”
Andrea Polanco
“So you’ve noticed marked improvement in their performance overall?”
Supt. Carol Tucker
“Yes, I do.”
