Specialized Units Deployed to Belize City to Address Gang Violence
The Belize Police Department recently deployed a number of specialized units into Belize City as a means of address in gang-related violence in the Old Capital. Among them is the Special Patrol Unit, a team that is lead by Assistant Superintendent of Police Aaron Gamboa, who the Commissioner of Police praises as being result oriented. ComPol Williams says the units have been strategically placed in areas where gang flare ups and retaliations are expected.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“You know the dynamics of Belize City, the complexity of crime fighting in Belize City. It is not like you can take off your cap and wave that feather and the situation goes away. It is so complex. It is changing and as a department we try to be as versatile as we can to address the problem. Whenever we see that there is some flare up you knows that once there is a gang related murder retaliation is inevitable. We know that. It would be idle of us, or as your favorite word would go, I wouldn’t acquiescent on something like that to know that there might be some retaliation and I wouldn’t do anything. So yes, I have deployed additional human resources to Belize City from our specialized unit to be able to address the gang issue. They are in the gang ridden areas, especially the areas where we expect flare up, ensuring we do what we need to done to prevent retaliation in respect to the recent shootings we have had.”
Reporter
“One of those specialized units is the S.P.U. We know that Mr. Gamboa has been the head of the SPU for many years. Is it too many years sir? Does he continue to enjoy this post because you and he dah friend and might have family relationship.”
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Life is about making sure that you do things that are going to ensure that whatever you want to achieve is achieved. Mr. Gamboa, regardless of what anybody would want to say about him, he is an effective commander. You give him a task and he is going to run with it. He is going to make sure he does his best so that we can achieve the desired results at the end. That is why he remains the commander of the S.P.U.”
