ComPol says that the BPD needs a counseling unit

A police officer in Punta Gorda committed suicide earlier this week. On Wednesday evening, Police Constable Brenton Garcia shot himself inside his home. The circumstances that triggered the suicide are not clear. Today, Commissioner Chester Williams commented on Garcia’s death which he says highlights the need for counseling services for members of the police department. 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

Chester Williams

“The passing of Mr. Garcia is a very sad one. We are all saddened by it. I know Mr. Garcia for many years. As a matter of fact, we were childhood friends in Dangriga. So, it really hit us hard. The reason why it happened, we are hearing all kinds of rumors. I don’t want to be guided by rumors. We don’t have any definitive facts. I wish we would know beforehand so that we would have put things in place so that we could have averted what has occurred. But it has occurred and the best we can do now is to pray for his family for strength. We need to look at our officers more closely to see when they are going through difficult circumstances and try to intervene when things like this occur. So, moving forward there is some work that need to be done. One of the things we are proposing is to see if we can establish a counseling unit within the police department. I think that is really needed at this time especially now where we have the officers who have to deal with the issue of fighting crime and dealing with these incidences of border jumpers and things that put them at even greater risk. Sometimes we have officers working and they are extremely worried about their health; whether or not are going to go out and contract the corona virus. And rightfully, so but despite that we still find that they go out and do their best.”

Williams says that Brent Garcia was well-loved by the community and got along well with his colleagues.