Home Affairs Minister Sings Past C.E.O.’s Praises

Kevin Arthurs

A new Chief Executive Officer has taken up the reins at the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, succeeding Kevin Arthurs in that capacity.  As we’ve reported, Arthurs’ contract with the Government of Belize expired on November twenty-fourth, at which time he opted not to renew his agreement.  While the Leader of the Opposition and several others in the United Democratic Party have been critical of Arthurs’ tenure as C.E.O., his former political boss sung his praises for helping to make the Leadership Intervention Unit a reality.  When we caught up with Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa this morning, we inquired about Arthurs’ departure.

Kareem Musa

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“I am filled with gratitude to Kevin [Arthurs] for offering himself, I think he did an exceptional job in the three years, in transforming, really, the culture within the police department.  As you know, we want to create a community based approach that is really bolstered by innovation and technology and at the same time raising the level, raising the bar for police officers in this country because at the end of the day, we know how important it is to rebuild that trust with the public.  And so, I think, putting in place these policies, he did an exceptional job in just three years and in large part assisted with this LIU concept that has now taken off, really, and contributes greatly to the reduction in crime that we’ve seen, specifically here in Belize City.”

Isani Cayetano

“His tenure, however, was fraught with criticism by the opposition and other members of the society at large, in terms of the effectiveness of his role as CEO.”

Kareem Musa

“Well you just have to look at the results.  Don’t look at the fact that he’s not a PR officer.  Maybe some of you expected him to be in the media more, but you have the Commissioner of Police every single day in the media.  So you don’t need that necessary presence from the CEO and so he was very behind the scenes, like I said, putting together these policies and implementing them and we’re seeing the fruits today.”