ACP Chester Prepares for Transition Out of Southside
Chester Williams
In about two months, the south side top cop will no longer be walking the streets and leading the officers in Eastern Division. He will be in Belmopan behind a desk, taking up new responsibilities in the Professional Standards Branch. His replacement is former GSU leader Marco Vidal. Today, we asked ACP Williams how the transition process is coming along. He explained to the media that he remains optimistic about the grounds gained on south side, particularly the peace established in the last several days, and that he will be assisting where necessary in the transition but he is looking forward to his new role in Belmopan.
ACP Chester Williams, Regional Commander, Eastern Division South
“I have not been able to sit officially and speak with them, but as I have said before Mr. Vidal and I are friends. We communicate often and I am sure that we will have some time together before I leave where I will get to brief him on what it is that I have been doing and then it is up to him to see what he wants to continue and what he wants to change as the case may be.”
Andrea Polanco
“Sir, we know that members of the different gangs were vocal about you leaving. We know that the residents on this part of the city have become accustomed to working with you. Have they expressed any concern about you leaving and are you going to be that “middle-man” and get them together with Mister Vidal for them to give him the support that they have given you?”
ACP Chester Williams
“Well, yes, I have received a lot of calls from persons who obviously don’t want me to leave, but as I have said before the job is transferrable and I have prepared myself to leave and I am now prepared and looking forward to take up my next challenge or my next task and see how it is what I can do to be able to improve where I am going. What we want at the end of the day is to have peace in the city. I continue to be a member of the Police Department and as such I want it to prosper and move forward. So, I will avail myself to him to see how I can help him to improve what it is that we have started.”
Andrea Polanco
“Are you hopeful that this peace that you’ve established with the gangs will prevail?”
ACP Chester Williams
“I am an optimist. I believe that it will continue.”
