Police Officers Warned they need vaccination or covid tests or face disciplinary action

On Tuesday, Attorney for the Belize Police Association, Dickie Bradley told News 5 that considering that a significant portion of the Department’s members have not gotten vaccinated,  threats to send them home would mean several hundred would not be on the job in accordance with Statutory Instrument seventy-four. For that to happen at a time when crime is high, Bradley said, would be an imprudent decision. Well this morning, rather than be sent home for not having their vaccine or test results, Belize City officers were allowed to stay on the job, but they were given letters signed by their superior. These warned that anyone who failed to produce a vaccination card or proof of a negative COVID-19 test will be deemed absent from work and subject to disciplinary action. The letters reminded that the officers needed to have received at least one dose of the vaccine by August first, or to be prepared to provide a negative test result thereafter. The letter then chides the unvaccinated officers, stating: Endangering our families and loved ones should never be the case for we have sworn to serve and to protect.” News five has also obtained a copy of a letter served upon an officer attached to a community in the Belize District earlier this week. It similarly reminded the officer of the regulations and outlined that they reported for duty without the vaccine card or the negative P.C.R. test result. In that case, the officer was sent home and has been marked as absent.