And while politicians consider the death penalty, police are trying to do the best they can with limited resources. Today they received some help from their brothers across the Gulf. Gerald Westby, Police Commissioner ?Policemen across the world have common problems. The problems that we are being faced with in Belize are not necessarily unique […]
The recent incident involving a thirteen year old primary school student who left home on an errand but did not return home until two days later is one of many cases involving minors now confronting law enforcement officials. Police commissioner Gerald Westby says he is very concerned about the case where investigations have revealed that […]
It is not the kind of initiative whose effects will be felt overnight, but nobody ever said that the serious problems now confronting our society would be quickly or easily remedied. Today at the Biltmore a process began that seeks to take a comprehensive look at the task of making Belizeans feel secure. News Five’s […]
With frightening certainty, armed attacks have come to be accepted as an inevitable part of everyday life in Belize. But tonight News Five investigates a disturbing set of crimes that is threatening one of the country’s most vulnerable industries. Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting The Mountain Pine Ridge and Chiquibul Forest Reserves are just two prime examples […]
The two day meeting of U.S. and Central American military brass ended today in Belize City and before the assorted generals and colonels jetted back to their respective bases the press was given a brief update. For General John Craddock, head of the U.S. Southern Command, Belize and Central America play an important role?in both […]
Craddock’s co-host, B.D.F. Commander Lloyd Gillet, offered an outline of what the conference accomplished and went on to field questions on the two security issues of greatest importance to Belize: drugs and the Guatemalan claim. Brigadier General Lloyd Gillett, Commander, B.D.F. ?We want to find out how we can measure how we are making success […]
And while the Guatemalan Army Chief of Staff did not necessarily share the B.D.F. Commander’s enthusiastic style, he did admit that he’s on board with the reduction of tensions along the border. Gen. Ronaldo Leiva, Chief of Staff, Guatemalan Army ?I hope that a diplomatic relationship continues between both countries. The reality is that we […]
There was a time in Belize’s history when the idea of a Belize Defence Force Commander sitting down at the same table with his Central American counterparts was well outside the realm of reality. But the world changes and–for better or for worse–Belize changes with it. Today not only did the B.D.F. sit down with […]
Over the next few days more Belizeans will take to the cayes, rivers and roadways than at any other time of the year. Most will be conscious of the need for safety and security while a small minority will simply be out to make trouble. Today the Police Department and Belize Port Authority held a […]
Officials of the Belize Defence Force and the U.S. Embassy met at Price Barracks in Ladyville this morning for brief handing over ceremonies of surplus supplies to our boys in green. News Five’s Jacqueline Woods explains. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting Thanks to a close working relationship between the United States Government and the Government of Belize, […]
This evening, fifteen police officers received certificates after successfully completing a prosecutor’s course designed to improve courtroom success. The participants are expected to complement the department’s badly understaffed prosecution branch. The intensive two-week course included lessons in report writing, presenting evidence, exhibit identification, preparing for court, and bail and jurisdiction procedures. During the ceremony, Head […]
Reports to this station from residents of the Placencia peninsula indicate that this morning a number of armed military helicopters, believed to be Blackhawks of the U.S. Army, skimmed along the beach at treetop level, heading from south to north. News Five was unable to confirm whether the American choppers were in active pursuit of […]
They used to avoid each other like sworn enemies … and when the two armies did meet it was often disastrous, like the time four B.D.F. soldiers were kidnapped by their Guatemalan counterparts in 2000. But these days–thanks to sharp prodding and generous financial inducement from the U.K. and O.A.S.–the military forces are looking more […]
Thanks to a well oiled O.A.S. publicity machine and unprecedented cooperation between the Belizean and Guatemalan military forces, there has been no shortage of press reports on the latest round of “confidence building measures” at the border. But beyond the hype, those measures are not only building confidence but also helping solve some very real […]
They are called “confidence building measures” but to some observers on both sides of the border relations between the armies of Belize and Guatemala may be getting too confident for comfort. Today the two forces, with help from the O.A.S., took another step toward reducing tensions on the frontier. Janelle Chanona, Reporting Before an audience […]
On Saturday, the Belize Defence Force will invade Belize City for its annual open day. According to organisers, this year the event has been moved from its usual location at Price Barracks to the Marion Jones Sporting Complex to accommodate more residents of the city. This afternoon, Commander of the B.D.F., Brigadier General Lloyd Gillett, […]
They made headlines in 2005 as the heroic officers who circled the skies tirelessly as part of a search and rescue mission for four missing tourists. And during the annual Belize Tourism Awards ceremony at the Biltmore Plaza on Friday night, members of the Belize Defence Force Air Wing were presented with an official token […]
Prime Minister Said Musa had a working luncheon today with the Belize Defence Force at Price Barracks in Ladyville. The P.M., along with Minister of Defence Cordel Hyde, was put to work, serving Christmas dinner to those who serve and defend Belize throughout the year. It’s a holiday tradition for the force, and their support […]
For the next week, members of the Belize Defence Force will be bombarded with information about HIV/AIDS. The national awareness campaign is being coordinated by the B.D.F. with support from officers of the United States Southern Command. The initiative is part of a strategic plan by the Department of Defence and the U.S. Army to […]
Meanwhile, in a bit of good news for the Belize Police Department, this week P.C. Matthew Lopez has been chosen as officer of the month. Lopez was today awarded a certificate of appreciation and a cheque for two hundred dollars for his dedicated service. Lopez is married to a fellow officer and is stationed in […]
For a time it seemed dead in the water, but late this afternoon law enforcement officials gathered on Marine Parade in Belize City to officially inaugurate the Belizean Coastguard. Pooling resources from the ranks of the Belize Police Department, the B.D.F. Maritime Wing, the Customs and Excise Department, the Immigration Department, and the Port Authority, […]
Belize’s love affair with Chinese food dates back to the 1960’s and 70’s when dining out was a rarity and if you did visit a restaurant it was likely to be named Hong Kong, Canton, or Golden Dragon. Today, of course we seem to take most of our meals away from home and the cuisine […]
The Crimes Committee of San Ignacio and Santa Elena dedicated a new police booth today in Red Creek. The structure replaces the one which burned down earlier this year. The Crimes Committee raised the twenty thousand dollars necessary for its construction. Minister of Home Affairs Ralph Fonseca delivered the keynote address during a ceremony this […]
At around a thousand men and women strong the Belize Defence Force is larger than we can afford, but not large enough to defeat an invasion from the west. It’s not a great position to be in, but in life you’ve got to play the cards you’re dealt. And part of that poker game involves […]
Most of the time the public meets police officers when they are on duty, but this Friday night you can see another side to the men and women who have sworn to serve when they take to the stage. The “Night of Drama” at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts will feature skits and […]
