Monday, March 18, 2024

“More Boots on the Ground” with SP Special Constable program

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The San Pedro Police Department is in the process of reintroducing the Special Constable Program to the island. The program will see “more boots on the ground“, having more law enforcement representatives on the streets in an effort to reduce crime on the island. The program held its first meeting on Sunday, April 29th when members of the SP Police Formation met with interested members of the public to outline the details of the Special Constable Program. The program falls within the community policing initiative of the Belize Police Department.

Representing the police was Officer in Charge of the SP Police Department Assistant Superintendent of Police Vienie Robinson. According to ASP Robinson, about 24 people attended the meeting which took place upstairs of the San Pedro Police Station. “We want to revive the whole program of the Special Constable where they assist the police in basic patrols around the island,” said ASP Robinson. During the meeting, each attendee filled out a registration form, specific information was requested, after which the information was compiled and submitted for vetting against bad character and criminal records at the Belize Police Department.

It is the hope of the SP Police Department to complete the vetting process by the first weekend in May so that training starts at its earliest with successful applicants. “We will be giving them training in basic police duties so that they can better assist the officers… they will not be allowed to carry guns because they are not police officers, they are only assisting, so they get trained in basic policing duties…” stated ASP Robinson. Upon completing their training, the Special Constables will be able to conduct patrols around the island as well as make basic entries into the police dairy.

The Special Constables Program is a voluntary initiative where those involved get to give at least four hours a week of their time assisting police in conducting foot and mobile patrols to have more presence on the streets.

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