28 civilians become the eyes and ears of the police
Some may say that there aren’t enough policemen on the streets or that people aren’t trusting of officers to share vital information needed to keep the peace and solve crime. So the police department has devised a strategy that might just do that. They have identified some civilians with interest in their community and have trained and empowered them in the ways of the law. These special constables were officially inducted today at a ceremony at the Eastern Division on Raccoon Street at one thirty this afternoon. Senior Superintendent David Henderson explained what he expects from the special constables.
Sr. Supt. David Henderson, O.C., Eastern Division
“The Special Constables are civilians who really have an interest in the department and we try and transform them from civilian to part police that they could be and extra eye and ears out there to assist us in whatsoever areas that we are called on.”
Jose Sanchez
“What kind of powers do they have? Do they have any police powers at all?”
Sr. Supt. David Henderson
“Yes, they have police powers. They can arrest and charge, they can take matters before the court but we try and have them work along with some senior police officers.”
Jose Sanchez
“What kind of training did they do?”
Sr. Supt. David Henderson
“They are given just a crash course in some criminal laws and police duties, powers of arrest, search, a bit of justifiable force and harm.”
Rick Cocom, Special Constable
“I decide to become a special constable because I realised that the public needs a lot of assistance out there with respect to assisting the police and upholding the law and peace in the country. Also, in addition to that, I am a second lieutenant attached to the Belize Defence Force and with that in mind, the training that I receive in the military will also assist me.”
Domingo Lewis, Special Constable
“I decide to become a special constable for the reason for the betterment of Belize. Recently, the crime rate went up so high and there was no one out there to see, like what the man said, no eyes and ears of the police. So I could adhere to one he is saying and then I become one of the eyes and ears of the police department by volunteering my service as a special constable for the police department.”
Sr. Supt. David Henderson
“I feel good about them because there are twenty-eight ears and eyes out there for us and they can definitely assist us.”
Jose Sanchez
“And their work is all voluntary?”
Sr. Supt. David Henderson
“Their work is voluntary. They are being asked to give at least four or five hours weekly although some of them really enjoy doing the police work and some of them give up to eight hours some days.”
Jose Sanchez
“Do you feel that they will be matriculated fully into the force at some point?”
Sr. Supt. David Henderson
“Well, if they have the qualification down the road, they could become a part of the organization.”
