New squad of police recruit receives training
You don’t need to be a statistician to know that crime is a major problem in Belize … and while the ultimate solution will require major shifts in society’s attitudes, the day to day job of fighting crime remains in the hands of the police. Today I met some men and women who are about to meet that challenge head on.
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
The first time you probably got to see them in action was on May eighteenth when they were challenged by a group of protesters in front of the House of Representatives. The young police recruits were only one month into their six month training when they were called up for the hazardous duty.
Jacqueline Godwin
“Leyna, what made you decide to pursue a career in law enforcement?”
Leyna Matute, Recruit
“I had went abroad to go study criminal justice and I wanted to come back to actually contribute something to my country, so hopefully this is one way to do that.”
Recruit squad number eighty-three has eighty-one members. Of that number only six are women, but that minority status does not make the task any less demanding.
Leyna Matute
“I would definitely like to see a larger number, I think six a little bit too small, but we are all still here and we are holding on for one another and trying to do our best.”
Dercene Staine, Recruit
“My father, who was a police officer, he told me to join the Police Department. At first I was a bit I would say—I refused at first in the beginning, but I decided to join when I really noticed the increase in crime. I wanted to be a part of the prevention of crime.”
Today the media got an opportunity to see Matute, Staine, and their fellow recruits in action as the Police Department held an open day to demonstrate the training of the next generation of law enforcement.
Jacqueline Godwin
“How are you feeling today; you are all dressed up in your uniform?”
Dercene Staine
“Well I feel wonderful, excellent. This is a big day for us. We are not in our uniforms much, so I a really enjoying this moment.”
Leyna Matute
“We do a lot class work, a lot of physical training, lot of drills, that sort of thing.”
Dercene Staine
“I have learned how to adjust, to become more disciplined. In the beginning it was rough, but now I am really adjusting to the environment and I am happy, I am glad I am here.”
The recruits are under the command of Assistant Superintendent of police Sandra Bowen.
A.S.P. Sandra Bowden, Commandant, Police Training Academy
“The police training academy moved to Belmopan in 1981 after Belize gained its independence. Since then, hundreds of recruits have passed through the gates and passed off the parade square.”
It was the first time that the Police Training Academy invited the media for a view of how policemen and women are trained. According to Commissioner Gerald Westby, the recruits do not always get the respect they deserve.
Gerald Westby, Police Commissioner
“Far too often they come here, they leave and nobody really appreciates the training they have to go through.”
Jacqueline Godwin
“Are you of these recruits?”
A.S.P. Sandra Bowden
“Of course, which Commandant wouldn’t be.”
Today the police also awarded media houses with certificates in appreciation for their support to their “Do the Right Thing” and The Yabra Community Summer Programmes.
Presently, the recruits are finishing a ten-hour human rights session, a first for the academy. For the remainder of the training the recruits will be posted at district stations before their passing out parade scheduled for September.
