Police Department to Get High-flying, Long-distance Drones  

The Belize Police Department is also in the process of acquiring its own unmanned aerial assets. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams confirmed that these drones for the Belize Police Department are on the way. Among the uses of the drones will be to assists in operations along Belize’s northern border.

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I do believe that whatever was done here today in terms of the launch of the Coast Guard drone, it’s going to be helpful to the entire security apparatus. The Coast Guard is our sister agent in terms of law enforcement. They do have the ability to be able to enforce laws on the seas. From time to time the police do call upon them to be able to assist in search and rescue operations, as well as to take the police from point A to point B when it comes to the maritime domain. You would know that when people do go missing on the waters, they tend to contact the police. Sometimes we have incidents at these remote cayes that require police assistance. And so, again, in that respect, the Coast Guard will also be able to assist us. And I’m sure that should there be an event that is mainland, and we would seek the assistance of the Coast Guard, they will also assist us in that endeavor to make sure that we can reach areas that we would not be able to reach so quickly. So, it’s a very good thing. And we’re hoping that very soon the police will be able to help us become a part of what is taking place. The intent is to make sure that the three security forces will be able to have that capability in terms of making sure that we can have drones to be able to assist us in our fight against crime. I can say that we have already the approval from the Cabinet to purchase a drone that is going to be used along the illegal or irregular border crossing areas in the north. We have received the finance for it. We’re just waiting for the drone to come in. It is not as capable as the one at the Coast Guard launched today, but it will also help us in that respect, though, to be able to ensure that we cover the illegal border crossing areas in the north.”