Cops Will Take Care of Their Own Too

Howell Gillett

Gillett says that while a lot is being done to curb the crime and make life safer in communities, those on the frontlines can also expect some much needed incentives for their welfare. In his many meetings, Gillett has been talking with the business community on how they can improve the working conditions and lives of police officers. As Gillett explains, some of those ideas, while very early in discussion, include counseling, financial and lodging needs:

Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett, Regional Commander, Eastern Division South

“There are new things coming for police officers. We are engaging the community very highly to do things for them to show that the police hierarchy does care about them and we want to them to realize that. Some of the things that come to mind readily is that we are going to change from some of the tents that they are under and we will build some booths so that they are able to weather rain or sunshine. That will send the right message that we do care and I believe we will get optimum performance if we do so. If we are to fight crime in a meaningful way, the officers who work for us have to be happy working for us. It is just doing our part to have them do their part.  Scotia Bank, through other partners, want to help the Police. I believe they have wanted to help for some time but now I had to convince the managing director that we are serious about helping the community that we serve.  We want to have a Chaplain for the police because people take it for granted that when a police officer goes on a crime scene that everything is okay, but not so, because it affects the brain. It affects the family because when he is reminiscing or remembering what occurred, it affects not only himself but his colleagues and family. When an officer goes on a murder scene, we want to do some counseling shortly after where applicable. Also, too many officers are involved in commuting and we have to do something about it. These officers don’t get enough rest. Imagine an officer living in Corozal, coming off at 7 in the morning and he has to go home and by the time he reaches home he has return to the City for work. So, all these will help to show the officers we do care. We want to build a twenty-man barrack room, to start with. It will be for the lower ranks, so inspector and above will not be able to use these facilities. It will be for the officers who get the lowest salaries in the Police Department.  We discussed concessionary loans based on the salaries of these officers to help them to augment whatever household appliances and even to build their homes. So, we want to help the officers. I won’t mention the interest rate, but it has been for other areas, I believe the Ministry of Education and it can be done for the police.”