We normally expect them to protect and serve but today they were out doing more than just keeping the peace. Belize City's top cop assistant commissioner of police Maureen Leslie spent the morning ringing the Salvation Army kettle bell and sharing greetings of the season. Leslie says the job of the men and women in uniform is to keep and share the peace this time of year.
ACP Maureen Leslie, Commander of Eastern Division
"Seasons greetings and to be safe for their own selves. We're giving out the pamphlets. we're shaking hands, and I'm getting some hugs. All part of the season again and all part of having people believe in themselves likewise."
Keith Swift,
What do you think is the importance of a senior office, such as yourself, being actually out here greeting people and handing out these pamphlets?
ACP Maureen Leslie,
"Most of my officers are patrolling. I am not really a patrolling officers so most of the other officers are patrolling and they are working in their respective branches. And I think leading from the front is very helpful, it builds the morale in officers, and if I can do it they don't mind doing it themselves. Some people feel it's a bit shameful to be out here to be giving out pamphlets and giving out seasons greetings but for me it is public relations and again the public really participates and they believe that we want to help them. So by educating them with the pamphlets, I think "
Keith Swift,
Can people be confident that they can shop in safety this holiday season?
ACP Maureen Leslie,
"We have been trying to put officers as much as possible in the main shopping areas and in the areas behind the boulevard and what not. We can't have a total crime free situation but we have seen for the past two weeks that crime has gone down a lot and we are hoping that with the assistance of the people who we are educating with the pamphlet and officers on the street that hopefully we'll have a better and safer Christmas season."
There are 450 trained officers deployed in addition to recruits from the training academy in Belmopan and backup from about 80 BDF soldiers.
