Three cops honoured as Officers of the Month

More often than not, in this newscast, police officers are accused of abuse of power or in brutality cases. But today three officers of the Belize Police Department were honoured for excellence in the performance of duties over the last three months. Woman Police Constable Sherla Cocom was the top cop in September, P.C. Anthony Flowers took over in October while officer Leroy Flowers was the department’s best in November. In addition to certificates of appreciation from the Police Department, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Western Union also stepped in with a cash payment as a token of encouragement. According to Officer Commanding of the Eastern Division, Allen Whylie, the “Officer of the Month” programme is a win-win for everybody.

Sr. Supt. Allen Whylie, O.C., Eastern Division Police Station
“The Police Constables, our success depends on them; they are the persons normally out there interacting. And whilst as part of the Officer of the Month programme we look at all the ranks, those three are the most outstanding and most deserving.”

Marion Ali
“You also give to officers of higher ranks?”

Sr. Supt. Whylie
“Yes we’ve also recognise other officers of higher ranks, but it’s a board decision. We sit down, we need to look at the various recommendations and then each person has a vote and at the end of the day when we tally them the officer with the most votes wins. So it’s an open, transparent process.”

Omar Ortiz, Manager, Business Development, B.C.C.I.
“We like to think of it as more than giving away money. What we like to think of it is our showing our appreciation to those officers who do a wonderful job. I think far too often we always hear of people complaining about the Police Department, but we have to remember that at the same time when we beat them up when they do bad, we have to applaud them when they do good.”

P.C. Sherla Cocom, Award Recipient
“There is always room for improvement, so it just motivates me more to continue working much harder. As a matter of fact, it just gives me, like weh dehn seh, more “juice” to continue, it just motive me.”

Marion Ali
“Were you expecting it?”

P.C. Sherla Cocom
“No, was not expecting it. It was a surprise, but for every good work there’s always a reward, so that’s part of it.”

The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Western Union contributes monthly to the officer award programme.