 of the San Pedro Police Formation.){kind=link}
Inspector Sheila Nicholas has officially assumed duties as the new Officer Commanding (OC) of the San Pedro Police Formation. Nicholas is the first woman to lead the San Pedro Police Formation in 12 years. The last female officer to hold the post was current Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandra Bowden.
Nicholas brings 26 years of service to the role, with experience in investigations, community policing, domestic violence cases, and traffic enforcement. Most recently, she served as Deputy Officer Commanding at the Queen Street Police Station in Belize City, where she helped oversee operations. Her transfer to San Pedro is expected to strengthen community-oriented policing in the popular tourism destination, which continues to face concerns over theft, drug activity, and traffic violations.
The appointment follows an operational review within Division 4, which covers San Pedro and Caye Caulker. Earlier in 2026, police reported a 10% decrease in major crimes compared to 2025. However, local businesses and residents have voiced growing concerns about golf cart thefts, suspected lagoon-based smuggling, and visible drug activity. Nicholas’ arrival forms part of a broader effort to address these persistent issues.
During an exclusive interview on September 15th, Nicholas outlined her vision for the island. “Tourism is the hope of our economy,” she said, emphasizing that her approach will combine firm enforcement with community partnerships. She pledged to maintain an open-door policy and organize regular meet-and-greets and outreach initiatives, including breakfast distributions for homeless residents, school visits, and quarterly church engagements. “We are here to serve,” Nicholas stated. “Crime will not be tolerated, and we will work with the people to make San Pedro safe and free for everyone.”
Nicholas identified several critical resource needs, including additional personnel, patrol boats for lagoon surveillance, and motorcycles to navigate congested areas. While acknowledging the existing limitations, she said her team already has operational strategies targeting known drug and theft hotspots, with early results indicating fewer incidents. Through increased enforcement and stronger community engagement, Nicholas hopes to help San Pedro maintain its standing as one of Belize’s divisions with the lowest levels of major crime.