Women Leaders in Law Enforcement
It’s Women’s Month and for the past few weeks, News Five has been highlighting women who have excelled in areas traditionally perceived as men’s jobs. Today, we focus on the inclusion of women in law enforcement and their rise to leadership roles. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Duane Moody, Reporting
What will law enforcement in Belize look like in 2031? The Ministry of Home Affairs has embarked on an initiative to ensure that the voices of women within the National Forensics Science Services, the Belize Police Department and the Prison Facilities are heard in decision-making and policy formulation.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“I think it is important for me as a minister on this occasion to not just come and give a fancy speech, but rather to engage the women in the departments in a very meaningful way; not just to be a fly on the wall, but to listen to their concerns, to highlight their successes and of course to confront the challenges that they face in a no doubt male dominated profession. We have seen over the years where the glass ceiling has been shattered.”
That process began with a session lead by Chamberlain Consulting that examined what women should do to prepare themselves for a service career, while promoting healthy gender relations in the workplace and fostering professional growth and development.
Dionne Chamberlain
Dr. Dionne Chamberlain, Consultant
“They created a strategic focus and an action step for this government to take. I want them to take away belief that it will be done. And I see the C.E.O. and the minister committing, but they have to because Belize right now, culturally, we are not raised – women are in the kitchen, men are… No matter how we try to put it. And even when you become a woman in a workforce, you still have to run home go cook, so we have double duty. I want us to gain our natural place among men, doing better than men can, but by doing it respectfully because we are not trying to lift women and lower men. We are trying to create something where we can work synergistically.”
At the National Forensic Science Services, two women serve as deputies in the unit, while there are scores of career women at the Kolbe Foundation. Presently, women make up thirty-seven percent of the police department and that number continues to grow. Deputy Commissioner of Police Dezerie Magdaleno speaks to the accomplishments in changing the norm.
Dezerie Magdaleno
Dezerie Magdaleno, Deputy Commissioner of Police
“It’s a very long and challenging journey, I must say. The whole idea of women being a part of the police department is somewhat that people would see it as scary. When I joined in 1985, only two of us joined. Now, there is a different tide that’s flowing as you see over fifty women at times in a squad that’s graduating. That speaks volumes to the idea of where we were, where we are and certainly where we are going. You have to be very committed, dedicated; you have to be very disciplined, you have to be honest. Your integrity has got to be impeccable if you want to rise and remain rising. And most importantly for me is steer the course, no matter what because it is challenging, it is very stressful.”
Willing to take on the challenge is Police Constable 1903 Jennifer Linarez, who is attached to the Anti-Narcotic Unit of the department. Inspired by the legacy of senior female police officers, she wants excel in her career.
Jennifer Linarez
PC Jennifer Linarez, Anti-Narcotic Unit, Belize Police Department
“I was thinking about it because of a lot of things that I was hearing that females being harassed and females are not good for this job, but then I decided to challenge myself and I said I will take this opportunity and I will make a difference. I want to make a difference for my country. I love my country and I want to work for my country and I love to help people as well. I see this job as a career, not only as a job.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
