You may hear police criticized regularly on this newscast, and blasting the cops is almost a social media ritual.
Still, say what you will about them - but the police play an important role as peace officers in society. Yes, there are many who abuse and behave corruptly, but still there are many more who just soldier on - doing a difficult job, toiling long days and dangerous nights in the streets, and remote areas.
Today, those who have given their professional life to law enforcement were recognized with long standing awards.
The event was held at the Princess in Belize City and here are highlights from the ceremony.
Bart Jones, Deputy Commissioner of Police
"These 10 years is 15 years and 20 years does not calm easily. We know that it comes with tremendous personal and family sacrifice along the way some of us would have lost love, ones broken families, and some of us as well because of the work and the lifestyle we fall to illness, on a count of this job. many of what we do goes on recognized we often hear that the police is in the news for the wrong reasons, but for majority of time, majority of us are doing the things for the right reasons and I want to come in you all and give yourselves a round of applause."
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
"People like Kyle Serrano have given a decade of service and so has Felicia Davis. Officers like Juan Choc and Letecia Moguel, have given 15 years of service. stretching beyond that, people like Lazaro Catch and Sherlet O'Brien have given two decades that's 20 years of service and then you have those like Tedford Garbutt and Hilberto Romero, the favorite police officer who has given 30 years of their lives to us. This is no small milestone ladies, and gentlemen. The gift of service to one's nation to one's government to one's is one of the greatest contributions that can be made as a citizen you've sacrificed and dedicated yourselves to professional and personal development. You've done us proud. We hope that we have made and we will continue to make your worthwhile more impactful and more resonant with the ever changing needs of government administration, but also in your more direct roles as those who serve and protect for our part of the ministry of Home affairs and new growth industries I hope that the innovations we have co-created in the form of ideas and technology and the financial investments to make your jobs easier and more secure have also in turn made your work more resilient and more well rounded."
