2008 is over but today the last police officer to be awarded for his dedication and commitment in law enforcement in the month of December received his reward. The top cop for December 2008 is Corporal Isaac Pasqual who is attached to the Special Branch and has been with the force since 1998. He told us that before he had considered a career in law enforcement because he was an avid athlete.
Cpl. Isaac Pasqual, Officer of the Month
“Up to now I still play sports and I am a basketball fan. But what changes is that when you reach the reality stage in our country, you know that sport does not really pay and we have not reached that point where we can live off sports in Belize and so I turned to police and I saw the need to help many different people in so many different ways. Not only arresting people, you can advise people, you can talk to people, and the mere approach you have for some people, that carries you a long way. So that is the transition I got. I got involved in certain different people’s lives, different aspect of people’s lives, they come to you for advice and you feel a sense of appreciation when you know that whatever you have said or done for them had changed their lives positively.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Were you surprised when you found out that you had been chosen as officer of the month?
Cpl. Isaac Pasqual,
“Oh yes it was quite the surprise. Actually I was doing extra duty around 8:30 the night, I don’t remember what day it was, when I got a text from the Sergeant. We bereaving the passing of our O.C. and so he text me and told me the news that I got the officer of the month and I was so glad.
This is something that I had been preaching from ever since I got to understand policing. From my colleagues, I would just like to them to respect people more because day to day we hear complaints about police being rough and not respecting people and doing things so do unto others as you would like them to do unto you and work within the scope of the law. That is what I would like to see them do.”
So while Corporal Isaac Pasqual was awarded top cop for December 2008, coming in second was Police Cnstable Dennyson Longsworth and Police Constable Harold Grinage – one of four Grinage siblings in the Police Department. A total of thirteen other officers were commended. The awardees comprised three women and ten male officers.
But while today the police force took time out to honour their fellow officers, Westby told the gathering that in 2009 all efforts will be doubled to curb escalating crime. He told them that work will be concentrated in Belize City especially in the Port Loyola and Lake Independence areas because last years’ stats reveal that both had the highest murder rate.
But it’s not just enforcement. The police plans to improve community policing and that will be made easier with three motorcycles donated by the Taiwanese Embassy in Belize. The bikes will be used by the Patrol Branch in Belize City and the police in Crooked Tree Village. Police are expecting to recieve three more bikes and the plan is to establish a motorcycle unit that they believe will boost their anti crime efforts.
