Email

Print

They're not hard to miss, the full black uniform and gear is meant to command respect and attention. The equipment and gear valued at $80,000 US dollars were proudly on display today at the Eastern Division headquarters on Queen street. The donation represents the largest investment in a single police unit and it includes 12 motorcycles, bulletproof vests, wireless communications equipment, police uniform accessories and kits, that will ensure that every member of this quick response mobile team will be properly outfitted, to combat what's become 'all out' urban warfare in the old capital.

ACP Elodio Aragon, Jr. - Officer Commanding, Eastern Division
"The whole purpose of this team is that since they are on cycles, they are more quickly to respond to certain incidents and they are easier to operate within certain areas of Belize City - if there is a need that they have to move up quickly they can cut through alleys where the normal police vehicle cannot go. So this whole team has been established over two months now. We deploy them but the fact is that they weren't as effective as we would have like them to be due to the fact that they haven't have the basic equipment such as the firearm, the bullet proof vest and the other basic police equipment but now that we have gotten this they will be now more effective on the streets in the sense that they will have the communication to communicate with one another etc. likewise the police department is assigning a vehicle to support the cycle team alone, now they being a standalone unit will be able to operate in specific areas at a moment's notice, so depending on the intelligence that come about - depending on the situation that arises we will be able to tell them listen this is the area you to focus and this is how you will patrol these areas and we put them in that area so they will be able to move around depending on where the need arises."

Jennifer Barr, US Embassy Political Officer
"As the US Embassy prioritize its citizen security it's extremely important to us as well as building capacity especially in the rule of law. This also includes professionalization of the police, they use some of our strategies and obviously this fits very much into our goals. These donations which I will talk about briefly in just a moment go towards that professionalization as well as building citizen security and safety."

Smartly outfitted with their field gear and body armor, 9mm glock at their side, this latest team of street cops say they are ready for the mean streets of the city.

PC Guido Marin, Team Lead - Motorcycle Unit
"This new gear here is going to allow us to feel more confident, more prepared to engage the people and the criminals outside so we can do a better job. More confidence in the officers performing their duties."

Jim McFadzean
"Now I notice that you guys have a substantial number of radios for communication. Prior to these equipment that are being deliver today, did each officer have a radio before?"

PC Guido Marin, Team Lead - Motorcycle Unit
"No, we didn't have radios for all the officers. What we use to do is break up in groups and each team of four had at least two radios each, so we had communication, there was no communication problem, but now that all of us have radios it's going to be a lot better - more efficient."

Jim McFadzean
"You are a career police officer - 13 years, why transfer to this new unit - the Motorcycle Unit?"

PC Eldon Myvette, 13 Year Police Veteran
"Well like I said, crime is escalating. We from the police department - we have goals and apparently we have to move around to different units to make our job more complete so we just move to the cycle unit to continue on the streets going through small alleys and combat crime."

Jim McFadzean
"So the motorcycles are absolutely going to make your life a lot easier in terms of mobility?"

PC Eldon Myvette, 13 Year Police Veteran
"Definitely because where the mobiles cannot through these cycles will go through the small alleys and in combination with the mobile can assist us greatly in circulating the criminals and make us more better off."

PC Tyler Castillo, 10 Year Police Veteran
"It's a heartfelt donation first of all. The way I personally feel it's going to assist us, it's going to make our appearance on the streets more professional and our equipment comes in at a very handy time, if you notice we have our firearms and stuff, so it's going to really and truly assists us greatly."

Jim McFadzean
"Prior to the delivery of these equipment. What made your life difficult?"

PC Tyler Castillo, 10 Year Police Veteran
"Basically just the safety issue in terms of we not having our bullet proof vest, we not having again communication equipment, without firearm and our bullet proof vest it keeps us in harm's way but now that we have it me personally feel much safer going into the streets and providing a great service to my country."

Jim McFadzean
"What is the main objective of the unit as you see it?"

PC Tyler Castillo, 10 Year Police Veteran
"It is to combat crime, a quick response in areas that are not accessible by vehicles. Our motorcycle will reach in a more rapid time and a quicker response."

Also included in the donation are 3 Interview room kits to assist and enable the police to record both audio and video of the interviews they conduct, which the Police hopes will reduce allegations of confessions given under duress. Also included in the package is training in the use of the new equipment. This new team of Motorcycle cops is in addition to the business watch team that already operates downtown Belize city with 8 or so motorcycles.