81 new police officers will hit the streets in time for the September celebrations. The recruits began training in April and they'll pass out in September. They are at about the half way mark and today we were at the training camp with them in Belmopan.
Keith Swift Reporting,
We first met the recruits of intake number 83 on May 18th when they faced protestors on the steps of the National Assembly. Without batting an eyelash the young recruits, who were just in their full month of training, held the fort. But real test for these recruits is here at the police training academy where there are six months of rigorous training. The drill instructor is Inspector Daniel Cacho - who has been on the job for 15 years.
Isp. Daniel Cacho, Drill Instructor
"It has to do with restraint and hold. Far too many times we hear about police brutality out there so now that we are beginning to teach the new recruits restraint and hold, that will minimize, I am hoping, that it will minimize the alleged brute force that the police are doing out there."
But it's not all physical. Commandant of the Training Academy is Assistant Superintendent of Police Sandra Bowden.
ASP Sandra Bowden, Commandant
"During the six months of training they go through the various legislations that they need to know to perform their duties as police officers as well as physical training."
Keith Swift,
Is the training rigorous?
ASP Sandra Bowden,
"It does because everyday they have to do a 2 to 3 mile run as well as they have to study and pass the tests in the various law subjects."
So what is a day like in the life of a police recruit? Recruits Johnny Tun and Leyna Matute say their day starts at 4 am.
Johnny Tun, Recruit
"We get up at 4 in the morning and then we get ready for fatigue at 4 where we clean up the compound, classroom, mess hall, etc. Then after that we have PT from 5:30 to 6:30 then we get ready for breakfast at 7 and afterwards we get ready for classroom from 8 to 12 and then a break."
Leyna Matute, Recruit
"We have fatigue, your foot drills, classes, everything in between like lectures. That is basically how we spend the day."
Johnny Tun,
"We shine our boots and everything, iron our clothes probably around 10 or 11."
Keith Swift,
You have three more months to go. Do you think you'll make it?
Johnny Tun,
"Yes I believe. I have confidence in myself."
Confidence because this is a dream come true for Tun.
Johnny Tun,
"I've always wanted to be a police officer and it runs in my family and I want to serve my country and this is my opportunity to be here and I'll take my chance."
Matute says her dream wasn't to become a police officer but she is happy she made it.
Keith Swift,
When did you decide you wanted to be a police officer?
Leyna Matute,
"April 15th when I joined in but I was kind of surprised they actually picked me because I knew a lot of people had signed up and taken the test but not many had been picked."
She is one of the 6 women that were picked out of the 81 recruits which Commissioner of Police Gerald Westby already have jobs waiting for them.
Gerald Westby, Commissioner of Police
"Visibility prevents crime. The more police we have out there, the more proactive, we can work on preventing crime particularly as it relates to Belize City and the bulk of these new recruits will be going into Belize City again."
Commissioner of Police Gerald Westby hopes there'll be another intake before the end of the year.
