Seven days after Corporal Ignatuis Nicholas refused a bribe offered by two persons that he had stopped in a pickup truck and discovered that the driver was not in possession of a valid license, the good cop was today honored during a special ceremony in Orange Walk Town. It happened at the Banquitas House of Culture where a number of law enforcement officers including special constables and ordinary citizens were awarded for their outstanding contribution to preserve law and order in that northern district during the months of January and February. Handing out the special awards was the Minister of National Security Carlos Perdomo who is on his last leg of tour of law enforcement agencies in that Northern District.
Carlos Perdomo, Minister of National Security
“It is one of the most fundamental part of the police work, the whole philosophy of police work is that they need to win the confidence of the people because it is only that they will be able to work easier, they will be able to get more intelligence, they will be able to get more assistance financially, they will be able to be accepted as a fulfilling part of our democratic society.”
Supt. Robert Mariano, Commander – O/W Police
“For example we have four special constables, these are actually civilians who have the authority of police officers who actually come and volunteer time to go and patrol on foot, bicycle, or mobile along with the police and some of these personnel, they do at least five days a week along with the police officers so I think it is just right for us to recognize these people.”
The two persons Corproal Ignatuis Nicholas detained are thirty three year old Guatemalan national Maria Magdalena Orellana Sandoval and forty two year old Corozal businessman Mark Daniels. When the duo were informed that the woman was driving without a valid license that is when Daniels offered Cpl. Nicholas five $100 notes. Nicholas took the money and informed Daniels that he would be charged accordingly. Both persons were then taken into custody. Police Commissioner Gerald Westby has applauded his fellow officer’s actions saying that Cpl. Ignatuis Nicholas took the right stand in the face of such temptation.
