Chester Willing to Take Pay Cut to Keep Police Officers Employed

Chester Williams

The Public Service Union, the Belize National Teachers Union and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers are in consultation with Government over cost saving measures to lessen the financial effects of COVID-19. Government has proposed freezing of salary increments for public officers. This includes police officers who fall under essential services and remain working during the State of Emergency. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has appointed two officers to represent the department during negotiations and he believes that no officer should be laid off. In fact, he says he is willing to take a pay cut in order to prevent any layoffs in the department.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The police responsibility is enormous. There is a lot on us. I can speak for myself. I am not going to speak for the rank and file. That will be done by Mr. Jones and Ms. Usher when they go for these meetings but for me I personally don’t have an issue if my allowances were to be cut to save other public officers. I really and truly wouldn’t want to see no one losing their jobs so if it requires that my salary be cut in order to keep other people employed then I am all for that.”