Home Affairs Recognizes Long-serving Police Officers

While disgraced officer Myron Williams walked away from court earlier today a free man, his colleagues in the Belize Police Department were being recognized for their outstanding achievements and dedication to law enforcement.  This morning, the Minister of Home Affairs and the brass of the police department acknowledged a cohort of men and women who have served in uniform for the past ten, fifteen and twenty years, respectively.  It’s the kind of morale boost that is necessary to encourage officers to continue protecting and serving.  News Five’s Isani Cayetano has the following story.

 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Recognizing the men and women of the Belize Police Department for their years of service is essential because it serves as a powerful motivator.  It also reinforces positive behavior and encourages officers to continue doing well.  When officers feel appreciated, their morale improves, leading to increased job satisfaction and commitment to their duties.

 

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“We are here today to mark an important milestone for police officers who have given decades of service to the Belizean people, tireless nights and long, fulfilling days.  Today is a celebration of all the days, those that start at six a.m. and end at six p.m. of selfless service.  People like Kyle Serano have given a decade of service and so has Felicia Davis.  Officers like Juan Choc and Leticia Moguel have given fifteen years of service.  Stretching beyond that, persons like Lazaro Catch and Shirlette O’Brien have given two decades, that’s twenty years of service.  And then you have those like Tedford Garbutt and Hilberto Romero, the media’s favorite police officer, who has given thirty years of their lives to us.”

 

Acknowledging exceptional performance reinforces organizational values and expectations.  When leaders recognize officers who go above and beyond, it sets a standard for greatness and encourages others to follow suit.

 

 

 

 

Bart Jones, Deputy Commissioner of Police

“It is indeed a pleasure for me to represent the commissioner at this event, one that recognizes the hard work and dedication of the rank and file officers of the department.  These ten years, fifteen years, twenty years do not come easily, we know that it comes with tremendous personal and family sacrifice.  Along the way, some of us would have lost loved ones, broken families and some of us, as well, because of the work and lifestyle we fall to illness on account of this job.  Many of what we do goes unrecognized.  We often hear that the police are in the news for the wrong reasons, but for a majority of the times, majority of us are doing the thing for the right reasons and I want to commend you all and give yourselves a round of applause.”

 

Oftentimes, recognition outranks salary as a motivator, especially when pay rates within the police department are already competitive.  Acknowledgment taps into intrinsic motivation, which is more sustainable and meaningful than other rewards such as money.  Appreciating exceptional performance also reinforces organizational values and expectations.

 

 

 

Kareem Musa

“This is no small milestone, ladies and gentlemen, the gift of service to one’s nation, to one’s government, to one’s people, is one of the greatest contributions that can be made as a citizen.  You’ve sacrificed and dedicated yourselves to personal and professional development.  You’ve done us proud.  We hope that we have made and we will continue to make your time worthwhile, more impactful and more resonant with the ever changing needs of government administration, but also in your more direct roles as those who serve and protect.”

 

Recognizing years of service fosters loyalty, it also encourages officers to remain in law enforcement, contributing to community safety over the long term.

 

Bart Jones

“I want to also thank the minister and the ministry for having these ceremonies across the country to recognize officers for their years of service. And so I thank you on behalf of the Commissioner and the High Command, thank you and congratulate you and wish you all the best.”

 

 

Isani Cayetano for News Five.