Largest police recruits class

Meanwhile, the Police Department is celebrating its largest class of recruits. For the first time, over 80 men and women have survived boot camp and signed on to protect and serve the Belizean community. Now the brave souls are set to participate in a 20-week training programme which is guaranteed to at least get them started off on the right foot…it’s big on ethics, human rights, dignity and community relations. News Five spoke to Commissioner of Police Hughington Williams this morning, who says this increase in personnel will mean a better delivery of service. Williams says as always, the department hopes to have the public’s support as they continue to change for the better. By all accounts it seems this new class is already different from the rest. Over 95% of the new recruits are high school or 6th form graduates. Williams says this will not be unusual from here on out, but says the department will consider applicants without those qualifications if they show the potential to improve their education. According to Minister of National Security Jorge Espat, the aim is to ultimately have one thousand highly motivated, trained police officers in the department.