Community Policing in Belmopan

Last week, we told you about the U.S Embassy’s community policing presentation with Belize City cops. The purpose is to share tips and ideas with local authorities on how to build a strong relationship with the people they serve. Well, today, they took that presentation to Belmopan. As you may have heard, community policing has been thriving in the capital city. Today, Assistant Superintendent Gerald Jones of the Belize Police Department in Belmopan shared more about the importance of this kind of education for his officers.

Gerald Jones

ASP Gerald Jones, Commander, Community Oriented Policing Program, BPD

“Based on what we have seen today on a video that was taken in Los Angeles, we have seen that most of the programs that they have implemented are similar to the ones we have here in Belize. And this will definitely enhance our capacity in terms of ideas where we can go out and reach to the public. Community Policing has evolved tremendously and there is a huge demand to reach to members of the community. We partner with different churches, schools, to be able to reduce some of the crime situation in our country and especially in Belmopan because we are looking at the Community Oriented Policing Program which has been working for us a lot. In Belize City, we are developing some more strategies in terms of programs to help with the crime fighting strategy.”

Andrea Polanco

“Anything new in Belmopan that people can look out for in the next couple of months – to be rolled out this year?”

ASP Gerald Jones

“We definitely can continue in our efforts with the GREAT. We have now expanded all the way into St Margaret’s, as well as Cotton Tree and even Teakettle. We are looking at some different initiatives in terms of swimming programmes and so forth. So, for the summer holiday, you can definitely look out for some new ideas.”