Who Will be the Next Commissioner of Police?
Kareem Musa
Is Deputy Commissioner of Police, Doctor Richard Rosado next in line to become the top cop in the Belize Police Department? His political boss, Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa, says yes and explains the system that is generally used to appoint a new Commissioner of Police. This is against the backdrop of three senior officers holding the rank of Deputy ComPol.
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“I believe our current Commissioner of Police sort of debunked that rule. Perhaps he was the exception to the rule, if I am not mistaken, he was merely an Assistant Commissioner of Police who jumped other DCPs to become the Commissioner of Police. But that might be the exception to the rule. But what is your question? Is there a seniority?”
Reporter
“Yes, that‘s my question.”
Kareem Musa
“I would say in terms of the date of your appointment, yes. But you don‘t get the title senior deputy if that is what you are asking. You don’t get a special title.”
Reporter
“So there is no senior deputy. However muted the notation may be, is there in that though, a direct path to succession? Mr. Williams has been there three years now, and it’s not often that commissioners last five years, and I think that he has indicated that wants to leave by 2024.”
Kareem Musa
“We have currently three deputy commissioners, so Dr. Rosado is one. Bart Jones who is a trained attorney is a second and then we have Aaron Guzman who is a third deputy commissioner. I believe Mr. Guzman will be retiring next year 2024, and so what we are looking at right now are the other two DCPs. I cannot say that we have decided who will be the next Commissioner of Police, that’s not a discussion myself and the prime minister or Cabinet as yet. To me, what matters most when it comes to being the head honcho, so to speak, of the police department is your ability to properly manage, not just in terms of micromanaging, you have to do your best so that you don‘t micromanage, and that administratively, everything at all the various levels of the department is operating and functioning in best way possible.”
