Prime Minister Briceño Attends Police Day in Belize City

John Briceño

Prime Minister John Briceño was in attendance at a police open day at the Raccoon Street Police Station in Belize City. PM Briceño also took time out to deliver lunch to police officer at checkpoint and booths across the country. He says, ACP Howell Gillett, the Regional Commander of the Easter Division invited him, a request he says he could not turn down.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“From my end it is important, when Mr. Gillett invited me, to come and see what the police officers are doing here in Belize City, it was important for me to come and get a firsthand look as to the work they are doing, the tremendous work they do under some very difficult circumstances. It is so easy for us to look at the faults of the police officers and the Department, but do not recognize the tremendous amount of work and successes they have. By coming here today and having a firsthand look at the work they are doing to be able to discuss or speak to some of the police officers, it is very fulfilling. At the same time, it is important to show the kind of respect that the Police Department needs and should have.  I use to spend many hours in the hot sun when I worked in the cane fields. That was a long time ago. So, I know how though it is, and for us to be able to stop with them and just say an quick hi, give them a plate of food, and just thanking them personally for their great sacrifice that they do. Many of them work where they don’t live. So, when they finish work they still have to try finding a way to get back home. I wish we could find a way to address that issue. I know in the bigger cities, like in the United States, the Police officers are from where they live as opposed to constantly having to transfer. It breaks my heart when you see police officers out there after a long day of work having to hitchhike to get home.”