Israeli Training Not About Military Self-Defense

The controversy surrounding the Israel training of officers and civilians, in both the public and private sectors, easily eclipsed a government-led initiative to bolster the capacity of the police department in the area of community policing.  That’s because the ceremony held at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan on Tuesday was overshadowed by the anti-Israeli protest outside the compound.  To commemorate its seventieth anniversary, Israel, through its embassy in Mexico, has teamed up with the Ministry of National Security to provide a crash course in community policing.  According to Minister of State Elodio Aragon Junior, the workshop is not about teaching officers military self-defense developed for the Israel Defense Forces, but about enhancing the ability of the men and women of law enforcement to better liaise with the public through meaningful interaction. 

Elodio Aragon Jr.

Elodio Aragon Jr., Minister of State, Police

“Without a doubt, such a training is invaluable to modern day policing.  Community and policing, this training course will run from the twenty-sixth of June to the fourth of July, 2018 and will see a total of fifteen police officers and fifteen personnel from other agencies such as NDACC, media personnel and the voluntary special constables who will receive this most vital and important training.  I am confident that this training will go a long way to improving policing in this country.  You see, community policing is in essence a collaboration between the police and the community that identifies and solves community problems.  Today, the police are no longer the sole guardians of law and order, but rather the police must work with members of the community and together enhance the safety and quality of life in our communities.”

Reporter

“Is this the only partnership with Israel or do you have other initiatives in the pipeline?”

Elodio Aragon Jr.

“No, as far as I think, as far as I could recall since I’ve been here, this is the first one, if I could recall, in terms of training that they are given.  You know, I think it is only a consequence as a result of them celebrating their seventieth anniversary and that is the whole situation, you know.”