Belize Police Department Welcomes Record Number of New Officers in Historic Ceremony

The Belize Police Department celebrated a major milestone on Thursday as it welcomed 231 new police officers, including an unprecedented 57 women, in the largest passing out ceremony in the nation's history. The event, attended by family, friends, and top government officials, marked a significant advancement in the country's efforts to bolster law enforcement presence and improve public safety.

Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa addressed the new officers, known as Squad 97, praising their achievements and the record number of women in the group. "This squad has proven to be a squad of firsts, with nearly 25% of the trainees being women, surpassing the United Nations standard of 20%," Musa said. He expressed hope that this historic class would open the door for Belize's first woman commissioner of police in the future.

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams outlined the strategic deployment plans for the new officers, with a focus on strengthening police presence in rural areas and tourist destinations that have experienced recent unrest. Ten recruits will be assigned to Ladyville and Burrell Boom, while additional sergeants will be placed in Burrell Boom, Bermudian Landing, and Sandhill to address tensions in the Belize River Valley area.

Why this matters: The addition of 231 new officers to the Belize Police Department represents a significant investment in public safety and a commitment to addressing crime and unrest in the country. The strategic deployment of these officers to rural areas and tourist destinations aims to restore confidence and ensure the well-being of both residents and visitors.

Despite the historic size of Squad 97, Commissioner Williams acknowledged that this intake alone is not sufficient to meet the country's policing demands. He announced plans for another recruitment drive later this year to further strengthen the ranks of the Belize Police Department. Minister Musa emphasized the importance of the new officers working in partnership with the communities they serve, reminding them that their primary role is to provide security and make people feel safe.

Key Takeaways

• Belize Police Dept welcomed 231 new officers, including 57 women, in largest ceremony.
• New officers to be deployed to rural areas and tourist sites to address unrest.
• Minister praised historic class, hopes it will lead to Belize's first woman police chief.
• Commissioner acknowledged more officers needed, plans another recruitment drive this year.
• New officers expected to work with communities to provide security and public safety.