Police recruit squad number 84 comprising 64 men and four women passed out at the Police Training Academy today. And while they’re rookies, these recruits got a baptism by fire, providing a presence in the recent general elections and assisting in the recent flood recovery effort. And that’s why the valedictorian Hermain Campos said they’re ready to serve. First, a clip of their oath.
Hermain Campos, Valedictorian
“That we all came here as individuals but are now leaving as the future
pioneers of the Police Department. We have on this day made it to the final lap of training but the learning continues as we start our luscious careers which await us.”
Hon. Carlos Perdomo, Minister of National Security
“I commend the recruits on their swift foot drills, movements, and immaculate turn up, and jokingly I don’t see any pouches out there – you all look fit and trim. I hope you look the same in fifteen year’s time.”
And apart from counselling the rookies on dietary habits, the Minister who first gave us vision 360 to fight crime, has come up with a 6 prong strategy to reduce crime. Here are two of those prongs.
Hon. Carlos Perdomo,
“The first prong of our approach was the strengthening of legislation in the areas of gangs and firearms related offences. The Firearms Amendment Act 2008 which was recently passed by the National Assembly, makes provisions for the imprisonment of persons in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. For a first offence, where previously only a fine could be levied.
But as you also know, the Police Department on its own can never surmount all the challenges of violence and crime. Law enforcement, your law enforcement is only one component to maintain peace and stability. Therefore our number four prong involves a serious attempt to engage the community to come up with solutions to the crime problem. We are being challenged by increasing violence and crime that spins off, not only from organized crime, not only from drugs, not only from arms trafficking but also from our decaying family life and social structures. And all these things combine to leave a scar of destruction on our most vulnerable segment of our population, our Belizean youth.”
60% of the new recruits will be stationed in Belize City.
