Outgoing ComPol Chester Williams Says “I Don’t Want to Fight”

Chester Williams is preparing to leave his current role as police commissioner. He told reporters today that he’s hopeful that the department remains “effective” after his departure.

He also stated that he found the letter issued by Sharole Rose Carr-Saldivar, CEO of the Ministry of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries, “displeasing.”

“I worked 33 years to be where I am, and I was extremely displeased with the letter,” he said. “The CEO has no legal authority to have wrote the letter that she did. I had already explained to our minister, Kareem, what I intend to do before leaving.”

According to Williams, he opted to leave his current post and “move over to my new era of responsibility.” He said, “To be able to avoid any in-house fighting, I decided that it’s best I pop up and leave… I don’t want to have a fight with nobody.”

When questioned about a series of transfers within the police department ahead of his leave, including one for his special assistant, Williams said it had already been discussed and approved by the minister before being carried out.

“Whatever I did, I had explained to the minister before I did. And I’ll leave it at that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries, praised Williams’ tenure as commissioner, stating, “Belize has undoubtedly seen one of the greatest commissioners.” He added, “His record speaks for itself; I think you can look at his entire tenure in office – it has been an accomplished record.”