Did ComPol Chester Williams Renege on Promises Made to Officers

In the aftermath of his accession as Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams held meetings with the department about his plans to revert to eight-hour shifts after more than six years since twelve-hour work days were implemented. Back in January, it was reported that compromise had been reached. At the time, the Police Association confirmed that their members agreed to the change because the department had promised late night transportation for officers who commute from Cayo and the northern districts to the city. It’s been over a month since those changes were put in place, but the department has not held up its end of the bargain. Today, we asked ComPol Williams about the concerns of the officers.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“One of the things we used to face is that the government used to pay the police one hundred and forty-five dollars a month housing allowance. Officers found it difficult then for them to rent where they work and so what the government did was to increase the housing allowance to three hundred dollars a month to be able to help officers to rent where they work. And despite that, we still have some officers who refuse to live where they work and rightfully so they have that choice. But at the end of the day, the Government of Belize and the Police Department have no obligation to provide transportation for officers to and from work. Yes if it is that it is something that I may want to do to be able to accommodate them, I can. But I am not under any obligation and officers need to understand that. If it is that they want that the housing allowance be taken away and then the money be used for transportation then we can go with that. But you can’t have your cake and eat it.”