Move over Chester - a new Commissioner is in town. Dr Richard Rosado officially took over the post this afternoon in an elaborate handing over ceremony at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan.
For Rosado, it's a dream come true, even though he admitted it is still a bit surreal. He spoke to us about his vision for Belize's security.
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Honestly, I'm still wondering if I'm dreaming, but I know the intense weight of the responsibility and I know that it will require, it will not be an easy journey, but with the support of the public and our stakeholders, I believe we can do a lot and make our community much safer."
Reporter
"Talk about your vision for your tenure."
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Honestly, first of all, my message to the public is one of commitment and collaboration. I am dedicated to reforming, refocusing and rebuilding the police department."
"Like I said, I know it will not be an easy journey, but with the support of the public and our stakeholders, I believe we can create safer communities and a more transparent and more effective police department."
Reporter
"How has this transition period been for you so far?"
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Honestly, it has given me the opportunity to sit with my senior command, to hear the challenges and concern, and it allow me to put together my strategic plan. Hence the reason I have turned my strategic plan, reforming, refocusing and rebuilding the police department."
Reporter
"This year in particular has seen an increase in gun violence, compared to like last year when it was relatively quiet. What is your plan to hopefully not pass those numbers from last year?"
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Honestly, we will do some restructuring and addressing critical security challenges like gun violence, illicit trafficking of firearms, transnational crime, cybercrime, do require a collaborative and multifaceted approach."
"Hence, I believe that through prevention, to intervention and through our enforcement strategies, we will reduce gang violence, we will disrupt the illicit trafficking of firearms, and we will ensure that we address the growing threat of cybercrime and transnational crimes."
Reporter
"What will be one of your first orders of business?"
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Well, as with every commissioner who has assumed the post, it is important that I meet with all my police officers at all levels to understand what are the challenges and what are the community concerns."
"I also intend to meet with the different churches, the different community leaders, the different organizations to see how we can work as a collaborative team. Because my mantra value has been that to address crime effectively, we must do it as a stakeholder-centric approach."
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