As of today, Dr. Richard Rosado is Belize’s new Commissioner of Police. With over twenty-eight years of experience in both academia and policing, Rosado becomes the first commissioner to hold both Master’s and Doctoral degrees. He expressed his enthusiasm for taking on the role and continuing to serve the people of Belize as the nation’s fourteenth Police Commissioner.
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“It is it is a desire of our police officer to reach it up, and I believe if I would say no, I would be lying. But all of us join the department to one day, head the ship, or be the captain of the ship.”
Reporter
“So what’s the feelings like now being here, having it officially handing over?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“Honestly, it’s, I’m still wondering if I’m dreaming, but I know the intense weight of the responsibility, and I know that it’ll require, it’ll not be an easy journey, but with the support of the public and our stakeholders, I believe we can’t do a lot and make our community much safer.”
Reporter
“Talk about your vision for your tenure.”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“So honestly, first of all, my message to the public is one of commitment and collaboration. I am dedicated to reforming, refocusing, and rebuilding the police department. I, like I said, I know it’ll not be an easy journey, but with the support of the public and our stakeholders, I believe we can create safer communities and are more transparent and more effective police department.”
Reporter
“How has this transition period been for you so far?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“Honestly, it has given me the opportunity to sit with my senior command, to hear the challenges and concern, and to it allow me to put together my strategic plan. Hence the reason we, I have termed my strategic plan. Reforming, refocusing, and rebuilding the police department.”
Reporter
“This year in particular, has seen an increase in gun violence compared to like last year when it was relatively quiet. What is your plan to hopefully not pass those numbers from last year?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“Honestly, we will do some restructuring and addressing critical security challenges like gang violence, illicit trafficking of firearms, transnational crime, cyber crime do require a collaborative and multifaceted approach. Hence, I believe that through our true prevention to intervention and to through our enforcement strategies, we will reduce gang violence. We will disrupt the illicit flow of drug trafficking, of firearms, and we will ensure that we address the growing threat of cybercrime and transnational crimes.”