Police Week 2012 is being celebrated in Belize under the theme “Lets Unite and continue to make Belize safer.” The Police Department has been holding activities country wide and on Ambergris Caye it is no exception. In San Pedro, activities started on Sunday June 24th with a church service and ends on Saturday June 30th with a parade through the streets of downtown followed by a closing ceremony.
Police officers attached to the San Pedro Police Department attended their annual church service at the Living Word Church in full uniform. Senior officers, regular officers, special constables and tourism police attended the church service, some of whom helped to officiate the service. A special skit showcased the importance of choosing God over law-breaking behavior, and the penalties of breaking both earthly and heavenly covenants was the theme for the service. Pastor Ian Saldiver, in his sermon, explained that the bible predicted troublesome times and indicated that even in the troublesome times the law enforcement officers are not alone in the line of duty. The mass was very inspirational for the many police, who in most instances find themselves in danger while working in keeping the peace. After the service the church treated the law officers to a home cooked lunch.
On Monday June 24th, the officers divided themselves into three different groups and visited various vulnerable areas of San Pedro Town and met with households. During their house visits, the officers listened to complaints from the residents as it relates to the crime and police response. The officers also took the opportunity to encourage community members to join forces with the police in fighting crime. Some residents warmly welcomed the officers into their homes and commended them for doing their best with the limited resources available to them. The house visits gave the police a better understanding of the conditions of some of the residents and an idea as to how to approach residents in the future.
Activities continued on Tuesday June 26th when the Police Department hosted some senior citizens of San Pedro Town to lunch. Officers had invited the senior citizens living on the island days prior to the event. During the lunch, Officer Commanding the San Pedro Police Department Assistant Superintendent of Police Vienie Robinson explained that the Police Department is happy to have hosted them for lunch. “We are honored to be able to have lunch and learn ideas from some of our most knowledgeable in our community,” explained ASP Robinson. Meanwhile various senior residents took the opportunity to address the officers present and thanked them for the invitation extended to them.
On Wednesday June 27th officers visited two primary schools, Holy Cross Anglican and New Horizon Seventh Day Adventist primary schools. The students had the opportunity to interact with the police officers, ask questions and even showed interest in the work of the police. The students were encouraged to be good and productive law abiding citizens. The police officers also took the opportunity to encourage them to join the Police Department in the future and serve their country in keeping law and order.
Other activities in connection with Police Week 2012 on Ambergris Caye include an all day fair on Thursday June 28th at the Saca Chispas field which starts at 9AM and ends at 4PM. The event is geared towards creating community awareness of the importance of the work of the police. Two officers attached to the San Pedro police department will be honored on Friday June 29th at the Medal Ceremony in Belmopan City. ASP Vienie Robinson along with Sergeant Ludwig Castillo will receive the First Class Medal Award for serving as police officers for over 25 years.
Events for Police Week culminate on Saturday June 30th with a parade and closing ceremony. The parade starts at 10AM from the San Pedro Police Station and will move along the principal streets of San Pedro Town ending back at the San Pedro Police Station. A closing ceremony will follow immediately after which awards will be distributed for Officer of the Year, Special Constable of Year and Citizen of the Year.
The San Pedro Sun joins the community and the Police Department in congratulating ASP Robinson and Sergeant Ludwig Castillo for their awards in serving Belize for over 25 years.
