Police cadet corps hosts sports meet
On this newscast you are most likely to see members of the Police Department collaring suspects, walking criminals to court or lifting dead bodies into the back of a pickup. But tonight we’ve caught some officers in a different light. No, not taking bribes or brutalising prisoners, but working with what will hopefully be a better future.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
The Police Cadet Corps is the brainchild of Sgt. Gilbert Pitts. Instead of the police getting involved with the community after a crime has been committed, Pitts thought the relationship should start earlier, with kids. Since he first started the programme eight years ago the cadet corps has grown to include branches from all districts.
Sgt. Gilbert Pitts, Police Cadet Corps.
“We have offered cadets at each formation from around the country. Every year we get together for a sports meet where we compete against each other in a friendly manner and learn to respect ourselves, our peers and we also teach them about God. That’s one thing kids seem to lack today, that spiritual experience. So we work with them and we come here and we compete in different games, volley ball, football, track and field and so on.”
With over three hundred kids attending, this year’s three day sport meet at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan looks like a success.
Sgt. Gilbert Pitts
“The department is moving towards community policing and this is one of the way that we are going. By working with the kids, then the parents, and then the community. We all work and to let everybody know it’s not the police against us, where all in this together. And for us to fight the crime or to do anything constructive we have to work together as a team to or as a community.”
The events have given children more than just a fun time, as it allows the far flung participants to develop lasting friendships.
Andrew Conorquie, Belize City
“It gives you courage that you can learn something take home what you learn. And the reason I love it is that I get a lot of experience out of it, I learn a lot. I basically love it because the people in here are nice kind people, friendly and everything and the kids are alright too.”
Samuel Elijio, Dangriga
“You meet all kind of friends, you communicate, you play sports. In the morning, you run. I have a good time.”
Charles Mclean, San Ignacio
“I’ve learned that we have lots of discipline, get to know new friends from all about and different districts.”
Mirisi Arzu, San Ignacio
“How to survive with other people, to share, we learn how to clean our community stuff like that.”
Azalee Warrior, San Ignacio
“It is nice to be here and you find lots of friends, you learn to do your own stuff and other stuff with kids, running in the morning exercising.”
Kyle Wagner, Corozal
“The experience I’ve been having with the police cadet, is pretty much adventurous, fun and you learn a lot from the youth corps. Survival, other stuff like that, how to survive in the bush and stuff so I think the youth corps is pretty good to be in.”
In addition to attracting youths, the programme has also reached out to parents, some of whom have volunteered as instructors.
Cristal Rancharan, Parent
“When they organised this in Corozal, they asked parents to participate, to help teach the children. To help them in sports and I enjoy doing it with them.”
“I have two of my children in it. We teach them to be respectful to people on the street. We do camping, we teach them to swimming. They go out on training for parades. They do church services and everybody enjoys themselves.”
Elfrida Usher, Parent
“I have one child in the programme, her name is Kamari. She’s eight years old. I believe the benefits from it is that she gets exposure, interacting with other children and it also gives her something positive to do during the holidays.”
The cadets are not the only ones gaining knowledge as the experience also give police a chance to learn how to cope with young people while on the job.
Kyle Wagner
“I think they’re learning to interact with the children. Because some police, at the beginning they’re very rough, and at the end they start to go slowly to their normal. They treat kids good, so I think they’re going fine with the kids.”
Cristal Rancharan
“Sometimes they would do something wrong and the children would call their attention and tell them “Sir not like that, like this,” or something like that.”
Alfredo Petillo, Orange Walk Town
“They learn not to lash the pickni, and take care of them, know how to handle kids and that’s what the police learn from us. And what we learn from the police is that we try to take their advice and when we get the age of eighteen we could join the force.”
The sports meet will come to an end tomorrow but the experience will stay with some kids for life.
Samuel Elijio
“From here I want to be a police officer.”
Reporting for News 5, Jose Sanchez.
The sports meet runs through Saturday. Next year’s outing will be held in Orange Walk.
