Despite the many challenges facing the Police Department, young men and women continue to choose law enforcement careers. On Friday fifty-one recruits from squad seventy-one graduated from the Police Training Academy. During ceremonies in Belmopan the best all around student Antonio Gomez was given the Baton of Honor. Guido Marin and Mark August came in […]
Although there were indirect references to former Police Commissioner Ornel Brooks who resigned on Monday, today’s press conference at the Raccoon Street Station was not about the past, but the way forward for the Police Force. The new chief, who is acting in the post of Commissioner until he is officially installed, seemed to feel […]
The United States government has made a sizable contribution towards law enforcement development and interdiction efforts. The fund will also cover narcotics prosecution, administration of justice, maritime law enforcement and administrative support. A ceremony was held this morning at the Raccoon Street Station to mark the occasion. Carolyn Curiel, US Ambassador to Belize “Our investment […]
Calling it a signal of the strong partnership between the United States of America and Belize, Minister of National Security Jorge Espat broke ground this morning for the new Joint Intelligence Coordinating Center in Belmopan. The Center at the National Police Headquarters will be used for intelligence gathering and regional anti-drug trafficking and anti-crime efforts. […]
If you think you see a lot of new government vehicles on the street, you’re about to see a few more. The Ministry of National Security has just purchased 13 new Ford F-250 supercab pickups. Five trucks will be assigned to the Belize Defense Force, six to the police and two to the Immigration Department. […]
In the light of many discrepancies in the gun license policy or lack thereof in Belize, the Ministry of National Security and Immigration has formulated a new battle plan against illegal and unlicensed guns in Belize. In addition to a four week waiting period and license fees, all those interested in obtaining a gun license […]
The Belize Defense force will be taking advantage of a training opportunity in the form of a visiting United States Naval vessel the U.S.S. Firebolt. Members of the BDF Maritime Wing under the command of Major Teck will undergo training in a number of areas including patrol techniques in Belizean waters. Colonel Hugh Cain says […]
You’ve no doubt noticed the extensive renovations underway at Eastern Division Police Station on Queen Street. Tonight, the Government Press Office takes you behind the fence to see the work being carried out on the busiest police station in the country. Construction work continues on the Queen Street Police Station in Belize City to improve […]
Even his own employees were surprised by the size of the donation Larry Addington of Caye Chapel decided to make to the Police Department. And today not five, not ten but sixteen pickups were handed over to Minister Jorge Espat. And four more trucks are on the way. The gift, worth one point two million […]
Calling it an example of Great Britain’s continuing interest in the security of Belize, the Minister of National Security Jorge Espat accepted an equipment donation this morning on behalf of the Belize Defense Force. The gift, from the British government, includes seven British made Land Rovers, navigation and telecommunication equipment, boat engines and office equipment. […]
Last year soldiers from all over the Caribbean tested their mettle in Belize’s jungles during Operation Tradewinds. This year, members of the B.D.F. are venturing further afield to Guyana and the Dominican Republic. Eight sailors from the Maritime Wing, including one woman, left this afternoon for the Dominican Republic where they will spend the next […]
Police received some help for their crime fighting efforts from the Chinese community today. The gifts came in the form of both funds and equipment. News Five was at the Raccoon Street Police station this afternoon. The ten bicycles, a gift from Edward Quan, the proprietor of Quan’s Trading Centre will be used by Zone […]
In other police news, Minister Espat met with formation commanders this morning in Belmopan. He congratulated the senior police command for their work to fight drug trafficking which he says has resulted in Belize being certified by the United States. He also stressed the need for the police to continue arresting and prosecuting sexual offenders, […]
The B.D.F. anniversary fair has come and gone, but this year the celebrations have left a legacy that will no doubt be enjoyed for years to come. Whether you are a military history buff, or just love to find out about the past in general, you will definitely appreciate a visit to A.P.C. to view […]
Thousands of people helped the Belize Defence force celebrate its twenty-first anniversary this weekend at Airport Camp in Ladyville. Among those offering his congratulations to the members of the force was Minister of National Security Jorge Espat. He told the soldiers that their success provides a lesson for the greater society. Jorge Espat, Minister of […]
The Belize Defense Force will be having an all day fair tomorrow at Price Barracks in Ladyville. The force is celebrating its twenty first anniversary. One of the main attractions will be the T-L-7 Firefly Plane which is used in the force to screen potential pilots. There will also be an aerobatic display and the […]
The Minister of National Security Jorge Espat toured Eastern Division Headquarters today which is being refurbished. Construction began two weeks ago and includes improvements to the front administrative building, holding cells, recreation facilities and other aspects of the facility. Jorge Espat, Minister of National Security “The government has allocated a little under two hundred thousand […]
The Ministry of National Security has announced some changes to the police high command today. After serving for five years as Assistant Commissioner, Hughington Williams has been promoted to Acting Deputy Commissioner. He has been a member of the department since 1967 and was most recently the commander of Eastern Division. Senior Superintendent Raymond Thimbrel […]
Last month officials from the Guatemalan Police Force visited Belize and had high praise for the Benque Viejo del Carmen police and joint efforts to fight crime near the Western Border. Yesterday the officers in Benque got another boost in morale as well as improved working conditions with the inauguration of their new station. According […]
Today the Minister of National Security handed over communication equipment, donated from an Israeli family to the Police Force to enhance law enforcement countrywide. In his address, Minister Jorge Espat, says his government is committed to modernizing and transforming the Belize Police Department as well as the Department of National Security and Immigration. The equipment, […]
While matters of internal security weigh heavily these days on the shoulders of Minister Espat, this morning he took time out, along with the Prime Minister, to tour the facilities of our chief ally in the nation’s external security. The headquarters of the British Army Training Support Unit in Belize, BATSUB for short, may only […]
While this morning the Prime Minister and his Minister of National Security toured the headquarters of the British Army training facility near the airport, the real work of BATSUB takes place far out of sight of most Belizeans. In January of 1995 News Five’s David Reid got a rare peek behind the scenes. David Reid, […]
A joint Belize/United Kingdom military exercise code named “Caribbean Fury” has begun. According to a government press release, the month-long exercise will involve close to five hundred Royal Marines and B.D.F. soldiers in intensive jungle warfare training and live firing exercises in the Mountain Pine Ridge and Chiquibul Forest Reserve. The exercise will also involve […]
This morning a U.S. Air Force C-130 touched down at the Philip Goldson International Airport. Its mission was twofold: drop off thirty soldiers and pick up thirty more. Patrick Jones explains. Their homecoming consisted of a heavy downpour and questions from curious reporters. Nonetheless the twenty-nine men and one woman of the Belize Defence Force […]
The recognition of Belize by Guatemala as a sovereign nation earlier this decade was a major breakthrough in the centuries old dispute between the two countries. While the claim to Belizean territory still lingers, there continues to be steady stream back and forth across the border by citizens of both countries. But not all the […]
