The Coastal Executive Unit (San Pedro/Caye Caulker) of the police department has a new Officer in Charge stationed at the San Pedro Police Station. The new OC is Assistant Superintendent of Police Vienie Robinson who comes with 27 years of working experience within the Belize Police Department. ASP Robinson takes over from Superintendent of Police Dennis Arnold who was promoted to the second in command of the Special Branch of the Belize Police Department stationed in Belmopan City.
Robinson explained to The San Pedro Sun that her goals are to improve the community policing programs and work very closely with the community in the fight against crime. “I am looking forward to working with the community to decrease crime on the island,” said Robinson adding that “however I will not tolerate no nonsense.” Robinson, one of the top experienced females in the ranks of the Police Department, was the Acting Commandant of the Police Training Academy before being transferred to her new post here on the island. It is not the first time that Robinson is the head of a police formation, having been Officer in Charge of the Traffic Unit in Belize City, Robinson also brings sound knowledge to the island in traffic policing. “I want the public to know that I am here to serve the public. I will be in office everyday to ensure that complaints are followed through and that cases are dealt with,” assured Robinson. Besides improving the community policing program, Robinson also wants to improve the police-public relationship thus restoring stronger public confidence in the police department.
Superintendent Dennis Arnold took the opportunity to thank the islanders for making his stay as the OC a pleasant one. “I would like to thank the community who assisted me in making our job easier and my stay a pleasant one,” said Arnold. He added that “I invite the community to work along with OC Robinson and extend the same courtesy to her and join hands in the fight against crime to make the community a better place.” Arnold, who was adamant to see that neighborhood watch programs were introduced in San Pedro, wants the department to hold the newly elected council on their promise leading to the municipal elections. “It is my hope that Mrs. Robinson holds the newly elected town council to their promise made to the electorates, that they (the council) would work with the Police to strengthen the neighborhood watch programs. They need to work with the Police and the various neighborhood watches and revitalize them to make San Pedro and OC Robinson’s stay on the island a success,” ended Arnold.
OC Robinson officially took office in San Pedro on Tuesday March 13th where she got to meet with senior members of the formation. During the course of the month, Robinson will be familiarizing herself with all her officers (approximately 38) as well as the island. In speaking to two elder islanders they explained to The Sun that OC Robinson becomes the first female to head the San Pedro Police formation. The San Pedro Sun joins the community in welcoming ASP Vienie Robinson and wish her the best as Officer Commanding the Coastal Executive Unit.
It is worth noting that in March 2011 OC Robinson was one awarded the honour of one of the Outstanding Women at the 6th Annual Womens’ Awards Ceremony for the outstanding contributions she has made to her organization and the community.
The Belize Police Department issued this acknoledgement of OC Rebinson at the ceremony:
Vienie Robinson was born in Dangriga Town and grew up in Corozal Town. She joined the Belize Police Force in June 1985 and completed training in October, that same year. She was posted at Patrol Branch, where she stayed for three months and was then transferred to Dangriga Police Station. In 1992, she was promoted to the rank of Corporal from Traffic Branch. Mrs. Robinson also worked at the National Police Training Academy as an instructor and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1996.
Since that time, she has worked in Internal Affairs, as Officer in Charge of the Family Violence Unit and Deputy Commander of Traffic Branch, where she was once again promoted, this time to the rank of Inspector in 2004. Presently, she is at the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police, attained in December 2009. She is the Deputy Commandant, Police Training Academy.
Her career as a Police Officer spans 25 years. These years of service and dedication were awarded with medals of long service from the Belize Police Department and Public Service. In 2010, Assistant Superintendent Robinson was awarded for 25 years of service. Her career has been a great sacrifice and a lot of hard work, but well worth it. She says “I wear the hat proudly”.
