Twenty three men and five women joined the Police Department this afternoon.
But they aren’t police officers, they are special constables. The special
constables underwent two days of basic training in basic law, police procedures,
and weapon handling last weekend. This afternoon they received certificates
which came along with the power of arrest. We spoke to two of the eager new
special constables – 24 year old Maurice Westby and 21 year old Donavon
Graham.
Maurice Westby, Special Constable
“Well I see the need in my community. Right now there are a lot of
burglaries, I live in Vista del Mar, and there are a lot of burglaries, the
police need a hand and so I decided to volunteer and give the police a hand
and we will cut down on those sorts of stuff.”
Keith Swift,
What do you see yourself actually doing?
Maurice Westby,
“Well in the Special Constable right now I see myself, if the situation
comes that I need to arrest somebody, I have the training; I know everything
what to do.”
Donavon Graham, Special Constable
“I believe that the police does not have enough eyes or ears to hear
everything and if I could render my assistance in volunteering my time out of
my whatever schedule I have to assist the Police Department I see it fit.”
Keith Swift,
What do you see yourself doing?
Donavon Graham,
“Well I am presently supposed to go to the BTB, Tourism Police, but
if not then I see myself rendering my assistance or my service to any department
of the Police Department that requires extra man power.”
Sr. Supt. David Henderson, Commander – Eastern Division
“These civilians have been taken in for two days. They have been given
some criminal laws, police duties, justifiable force and harm, a bit of the
constitution, search, and powers of arrest in order for them to really know
what is the authority out there and how to really go about effecting police
duty.”
Keith Swift,
So are these in effect 28 new officers?
Sr. Supt. David Henderson,
“No they are not full police officers. They are all civilians, they
are given some police authority, they have been given the power of arrest but
they are asked to work along with some senior police officers.”
Keith Swift,
Do you see yourself becoming a police full time?
Donavon Graham,
“Well not presently because like I said I am presently a member of
the Belize Defense Force Volunteer Battalion and I am also a member of the Belize
Defense Force Band so I don’t see myself presently being a member of the
Police Department full time but until such time only the future knows what it
holds for me.”
Maurice Westby,
“Well it was a life long dream for me to work with the police, everybody
that knows me know that I always wanted to work with the police always. Who
knows, maybe because it has been my dream to work along with the police.”
This is the third group of special constables which has graduated since
the program was re-launched in July. You must have a clean police record to
sign up. As Senior Superintendent David Henderson said, enrolment is rolling
and so you can apply at anytime. You must be able to commit at least four hours
weekly with the Police Department. After a year as a special constable, you
can opt to enlist as an actual police officer.
And while the new special constables received certificates, this afternoon
the officer of the month received a check, perfume, and most importantly recognition.
She is Sergeant Dian Brown, a 15 year veteran with the Department who is attached
to the Patrol Branch. Sergeant Brown, who is a single mother, says it is all
about dedication to the job.
Sgt. Dian Brown, Officer of the Month
“Definitely it is a good feeling, words can’t express it. With
hard work and dedication I know I would have been there. Being a female in the
department it is a bit challenging. Being a single parent it is also challenging
but if you are dedicated and you are a hard worker you could get through anything.
From being a child I used to have my mentor, my mentor used to be Mrs.
Murray. She has retired, she has retired from the department now, and I have
always said that I wanted to be a police officer and I am here now so I am here
to work hard and make changes if I can.”
Keith Swift,
And what does it do to your morale to get this recognition?
Sgt. Dian Brown,
“Definitely it feels good. I am a person of discipline and I believe
I should lead by example so words can’t explain how I feel.”
Corporal Delbert Benguche and Police Constable Ruthford Leslie were
runners up for officer of the month.
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