Police host students on open day
Events marking Police Week continue. On Wednesday the department invited people to visit a place usually frequented by Belizeans who run afoul of the law.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
While not all residents in areas of the city visited by police On Tuesday were happy with the special attention, On Wednesday, officers today received a warmer reception from students attending police open day at the Queen Street Station.
Michelle Lopez, Student
“To me the exhibit is very good because it teaches us what is restricted from the schools, and it also tells us what the police officers use, like the Patrol Branch and other branches. And if a student wants to become a police officer that child can come here and see what they use, so they say I can come and join the police force because I have an understanding of what they do.”
Kevin Tang, Student
“I like about the police equipment and the guns and all that.”
Jose Sanchez
“You’re not afraid of the guns?”
Kevin Tang
“No.”
Sergeant Gilbert Pitts explained to students some of the items that the Zone Beat Liaison Officer programme had on exhibit.
Sergeant Gilbert Pitts, Z.B.L.O. Programme
“We have on display right now some of the wears of the Police Department, and we represent some of the older constabulary force, some of the hats that they use to use. Over here we have dress from the Youth Cadet Corps, because that’s a part of the department also. We have a marijuana plant over there, for purely educational purposes, because as it is right there, that’s cultivation. As you know, a heavy fine goes with that, so we ask people not to plant the marijuana plant. If they see it in a home, anywhere, get out because there’s a heavy fine and probably confinement dealing with the marijuana plant. We have pamphlets of safety tips.”
Cpl. Fernando Rosado, Crimes Investigation Branch
“Scenes of crimes section is just a part of C.I.B. it’s a unit under C.I.B. under the specialized branch of the Police Department. Our section mostly photographs of all crime scenes, such as murder and traffic accidents, we process scenes for finger prints, and finger prints are taken, collected and presented in court as evidence.”
Oprah Diego, Student
“I learned that this technology here in Belize can be used in crime scenes to find out more about the criminals. I also learnt that it is used when criminals break into houses. They use the finger prints to determine what criminal broke in and see if it was that criminal.”
Jose Sanchez
“What do you think of the display?”
Oprha Diego
“I think people will learn about the display and see that there is improvement in the technology here in Belize.”
Tanya Hernandez, Student
“Students can come here and see what the Police Force does and also as a warning to them to see the things that the police force confiscated from the schools and to warn them that they are not supposed to take those things to school. I also think it’s very good for our education because we learn a lot more about what the police force does and that they’re very good people. We always hear that the police are picking on people and when we really talk to them they have a totally different answer from what we hear.”
Being a police officer is not an easy or a glamorous job, but it is an important one. Hopefully the display may encourage some of these youths to join the force after they’ve finished their studies. Reporting for News 5, Jose Sanchez.
Police Commissioner Hughington Williams will be the guest on tonight’s edition of One on One with Dickie Bradley.
