Police Health Run & Sports Day at Yabra

Early this morning, the police officers were on the streets of the City, but it was not for the usual crime fighting. It was to encourage residents to maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle by staying fit. That activity was followed by other fun sporting events at Yabra Green.  On Saturday a march will culminate the entire week of activities to mark Police Week. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Today, a health run which started and ended at the Yabra Green saw hundreds of police officers trek through the city streets, promoting healthy living. It prefaced a full day of sporting activities, including domino matches between male and female law enforcement officers. It is one of the many activities organized to celebrate Police Week.

Hortence Hernandez

WCP Hortence Hernandez, Press Officer, Belize Police Department

“This morning we started off at six a.m. with a health run; we stated off at Queen Charlotte in front of Yarborough Community Centre and we concluded the health run at the same location. As you can see all around you right now; we have people setting up, they are playing dominoes. We have the basketball personnel warming up to start the game. We have football lined up for later on; we have volleyball lined up likewise for later on. So it is an entire day of fun.”

The public was also invited to join in on the matches and to team up with officers in basketball, football and volleyball games. It’s another form of community policing and for officers of all ranks to interface with the citizens they are tasked to serve.

WCP Hortence Hernandez

“It’s not only for police officers. If you can look around you, we do have some civilian personnel out here likewise.”

Duane Moody

“How important is this to have officers on almost a day off, relaxing and having fun?”

WCP Hortence Hernandez

“Actually Duane, the crowd that is out here is not to the number that I would have wanted to see because the officers you see out here actually gave up their day off to be out here. I personally would have wanted to see more officers out here partaking in this activity. The last police week activity was in 2017; that’s two years so I would have wanted to see more officers out here. But as I said before, they gave up their day off—not just today, but likewise tomorrow for the march through the streets of Belize City, it is officers who are on day off will be doing that march—majority of the officers.”

The police march takes place on Saturday at eleven a.m. starting near the gas station at the Cemetery Road roundabout. Duane Moody for News Five.