Another less contentious issue covered by the PM in today’s press conference is the change of command in the Police Department. It’s been reported that the senior command will change, and today the PM gave the official outline of the shape of things to come in the police ranks.
Hon. Dean Barrow,
“We have been negotiating with the current Commissioner of Police for his early retirement and the fact that Assistant Commissioner Jeffries is expected to take over starting next month. So this change is not to happen in a vacuum. There will be a strengthening especially of the senior managerial ranks so that a number of new Assistant Commissioners of Police will be appointed in an effort to strengthen organizational effectiveness and in line with the Crooks, the Harold Crooks Report.
In Belize City personnel changes will take place at Eastern Division since it is conceded that the biggest policing problems are here in the old capital. There must therefore be a special focus and a renewed effort to do better here in the commercial center of our country.
Commissioner Designate Jeffries will in the first instance be given a one year contract and the new Assistant Commissioners will be appointed on an acting basis and only confirmed depending on performance. They are also expected to compete by way of performance for the Deputy Commissioner slot since that will be open because Allan Whylie, who would be next in line to current Commissioner Westby, will go across to the Ministry of National Security as its new CEO.”
