Belize police and Texas cops trade places
If we watch the show “Cops” on television we know — or at least think we know — how law enforcement works in the U.S.A. But watching on TV wasn’t real enough for some members of the Belize Police Force, who recently got the chance to trade places with their colleagues from the great state of Texas.
The International Law Enforcement Exchange Program is an initiative of the U.S. State Department. According to Paul Santiago of the International Association of Police Chiefs, the program is intended to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas on law enforcement.
Paul Santiago, Director, Int’l Assoc. of Police Chiefs
“It broadens their horizons of officers on both sides. Many of our officers in the United States have never traveled overseas. It gives them that opportunity to recognize that law enforcement is law enforcement. It’s pretty much performed in a very similar way. The philosophies are similar. The important thing about this exchange is that they get an opportunity to sit one on one and talk to them personally about how law enforcement is performed.”
Six police officers from Plano, Texas, today wrapped up two weeks of observing their local counterparts in the field. Leader of the Texas delegation, Captain Tommy Ashley, says the experience was humbling for his officers.
Capt. Tommy Ashley, Plano Police Department
“For one thing, we will probably appreciate the very many resources that we have that the Belize police do not have. It’s our fervent hope that through the good offices of our police department, we may assist the Belize police with some badly needed resources. We’ve come to Belize for the purpose of seeing how the Belize police operate and to experience the atmosphere of the country and to see the beautiful things here. And I must say we are very impressed with the professionalism and dedication, despite the few resources of the Belize Police Department.”
The officers on both sides of the exchange say the program will serve to enhance the work that they do, whether in Belize or Texas.
Elodio Aragon Jr., Officer Cadet, Belize
“It was very educational and very, when it comes to police work, it was very, very interesting because I learnt a lot, things that I have not seen here in Belize done. Things like the Avis fingerprinting machine, which is a million-dollar machine, basically is a nationwide fingerprint system which does not exist here in Belize. With that, I learnt other techniques how they go about doing searches, the tactical force, you know, and other things concerning their force.”
Q: “How will what you learnt here be translated back to your work in Texas?”
Sgt. Bill Durkin, Plano Police Department
“Well, I’m in charge of the crime prevention unit for the Plano Police Department and I’ve learnt several things from the Belizean police force. They have several programs here that we do not currently implement, but I think they are possible back in the States.”
Q: “Which is the first program, you’re looking to adopt for your local area?”
Sgt. Bill Durkin
“Well, currently our police department does not handle something like your first offenders program. It’s handled by our court system and I think that transferring that to the police department should make a more effective program. I was very impressed with how it works here. It gives people a second chance.”
Equally impressed with what they saw on their assignment were the Belize police officers.
Sandra Cadle, Officer Cadet, Belize
“I gained a lot of experience while in Plano and the way that they operate is similar to the way we operate. There isn’t that much difference except for the technology. So I think that we will basically continue to do what we do, but I hope that this experience will help us to do what we do better.”
Elodio Aragon Jr., Officer Cadet, Belize
“Well, I think it makes me more professional. When I come here I try to incorporate ideas that I have learnt there that I saw there. Basically like community policing. They have a very good program here and I’m trying to bring those ideas here and pass it on and share it with my fellow police officers.”
Sandra Cadle
“We brought back a few ideas, mostly about their community policing and some of the programs that they have, such as the child safety program, vacation, summer schools, some of their traffic laws that they have. Stuff like that.”
Belize is among the first four countries in the region taking part in initial phase of the International Law Enforcement Exchange Program. Phase two is scheduled to start in January and will involve five countries and five U.S. cities. Patrick Jones for News Five.
The U.S. State Department runs similar exchange programs with police forces all over the world, including Russia and the states which formerly made up the Soviet Union.
