About a Police Force

  Towards A Safer Belize

Belize, formerly known as the British Honduras is a melting pot of many races and over the years, the multi-racial, make-up has risen through the influx of people of Central America, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. Upon independence from the United Kingdom, Belize established itself as a parliamentary democracy in 1981.

"In recent years there has been an undeniable broadening of criminal activity that jeopardizes our democracy. Phenomena such as international drug trafficking, money laundering, cross border crimes, illegal immigration, murder, illegal encroachments pose security threats to our children and families. This explains why Belize is investing so much in our police and in our security structures", said Hon. Jorge Espat, Minister of National Security, Belize.

Recent findings of the Interpol records Belize as the country with the highest rate of drug offences on the continent, with 640 such recorded offences per 100 thousand inhabitants. Amnesty International reports several cases of torture by security forces of not only locals but also tourists in the year 2004. The following article profiles the Belize Police Force.

Belize Police Department: The Force Philosophy

"That we shall devote ourselves to uphold the safeguards of the Constitution having regard for the rights and dignity of all persons, through the instrument of Law, and the concern for order, working in partnership with the people, and in cooperation with Law Enforcement Agencies, we vow to protect the welfare of the state from the threat and fear of crime."

 Mission Statement

The Belize National Police, adhere to the mission statement of "The police and community working in partnership for a safer Belize."

Brief History of policing in Belize

The colonial regime introduced the notion of organised policing into British Honduras in 1886. The British Honduras Constabulary Force was formed under Captain D. M. Allen who had originally served with the First West Indian Regiment. There were just about 141 constables, all of them brought over from Barbados because, it was said that the local men showed no interest in enlisting. In 1902, the Constabulary Force was abolished and the police adopted the title British Honduras Police Force. This was commanded by a succession of expatriate officers. It was only in 1963 that women were first recruited into the force as constables.

The Constabulary Force was at first a paramilitary force, but in 1902, it was abolished and the police adopted the title British Honduras Police Force. In the years that followed, the foundation of the unified Police Force, as we know it today, was laid and the Force was commanded by a succession of expatriate officers. The force was reorganised again in 1957, when its first commissioner of police instituted modernising reforms that resulted in the force's present form.

The official name of the force was changed to the Belize National Police in 1973, and by the early 1990s, the commissioner and all senior police officers were Belizeans.

The police training school established in the year 1963, instructs recruits, over a six month period, in police duties and procedures, criminal law and practice, forensic jurisprudence, first aid, self defense, weapons training, customer service, public relations and conflict resolution.

Organisation and Administration

The Minister of Home Affairs is responsible to Parliament for the Police Department and its activities. The Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Security Services Commission share administrative control. Operational command of the Department is vested in the Commissioner of Police.

The administration is divided into the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Management Services and Operations. Police operations are divided into three territorial divisions: Eastern, which includes the Belmopan and Belize City; Central; and Western division.

The Belize Force has an authorised strength of 870, a ratio of about 1 police to every 300 inhabitants. This is just about average policing strength for a small country like Belize.

Police Internal Disciplinary Procedures

As for basic investigation procedure, a complaint first has to be registered for an investigation to be carried out, preferably to the Deputy Commanders of Police Formations. The routing of the complaint would be from the Commander Internal Affairs and Discipline to the Commissioner of Police.

Requests of updates from the complaint are fulfilled at all times during the period of investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, the accused police, if found guilty are liable for prosecution.

External Mechanisms for Oversight of Police

The Belize Police Department enjoys oversight from various external organisations. These include the Human Rights Commission of Belize, the office of the Ombudsman and the national media houses.

The Secret Police

The existence of Internal Security or Secret Police in Belize has been a point of contention for many human rights organisations monitoring Belize. This is mainly because Belize has no 'external enemies' on its borders. Back in the times of British Honduras, the Secret Police were used to keep tabs on political dissidents. Today they are mostly used for political vendettas, prosecution, and sometimes for drug enforcement.

The rationale for maintaining the Secret Police only on the pretext of ensuring drug enforcement is fraught with danger for the people of Belize. The trouble with Secret Police anywhere in the world, is that they operate beyond the parameters of the 'law of the land,' and Belize is no different. Searches without warrant using civil legal pretexts, illegal detentions and false arrests, illegal surveillance, improper interrogations, torture, false confessions are some of the routine violations that the Secret Police carries out.

The Secret Police in many countries have become a government within the government, the most glaring example being that of Peru under the authoritarian rule of President Fuijimoro. The Belizean government needs to introspect on the continuing might of the Secret Police to halt incidents of human rights' violations for the people of Belize.

Family Traditions Anthony Rosado at passing out parade Twenty seven year old Anthony Rosado can't recall a time when the thought of serving his nation as a policeman was not on his mind. Not surprising, as Anthony comes from a family of policemen. His father and both his brothers have served the Belize Police Force. Anthony's father and a brother have been killed in the line of duty. Older brother Micheal continues to serve in Benque Viejo del Carmen. "My father's greatest wish was that all his sons would be policemen and carry on in his footsteps," says the freshly recruited policeman. Strongly influenced by his mother as well, the young man taught at the Stann Creek Ecumenical College for about three years before donning the uniform. Looking back at his training days, Anthony recollects, " there were many times when I wanted to quit. We were mentally and physically pushed to the limit, but we made it. He enters the Police Department at the rank of Inspector. On his future plans, Anthony says "I want to change the negative perception of the Belize Police Department, to go out and make a difference and treat people with civility and courtesy."