Police Officers Take on Community Projects for Women’s Month

March is celebrated as Women’s Month, and to mark the occasion, the women of the Eastern Division of the Belize Police Department, along with a few of their male colleagues, took part in community projects today. It was their way of giving back to the communities where they serve and uphold the law. Giving back is crucial for these officers, as they rely on the community’s trust and cooperation to perform their duties effectively. The work done today was tough and carried out under the scorching sun. News Five’s Marion Ali caught up with a team who was finishing up an upgrade to a park in Belize City. Here’s that report.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

Today, in celebration of Women’s Month, members of the Belize Police Department’s Eastern Division rolled up their sleeves and got involved in community work across their respective areas. Inspector of Police, Hortence Hernandez, shared that these community projects were all brainstormed by the officers themselves to give back to the communities they serve. She also mentioned that it was the women officers of the Eastern Division who took the initiative to fundraise and purchase the necessary materials.

 

Inspector Hortence Hernandez, Public Relations Officer, B.P.D.

“What we have for Eastern Police Division, the entire region, San Pedro, Caye Caulker, the four precincts – Hatteville and Ladyville, today we decided to give back to the community, where we adopt a park. For Prosecution Branch, they decided to feed the homeless on the streets. We did raffles, we did barbecue sale, we asked for donations, and that’s how we get the material that we are working with today.”

 

Hernandez and her team were at Armadillo Park, off Dolphin Street in Belize City, and the children’s reaction was instant and heartwarming.

 

Inspector Hortence Hernandez

“This park is Armadillo Park. The scope of the work – when we came and examined the park, we realized that it is in deplorable condition and this is where children in this area play, so we’re trying to give them something more welcoming to come out and play in. One of them said to us, Miss, thank you very much for cleaning our park. We also have two little girls in the neighborhood came out and helped paint the basketball court. So, the feedback from the community is awesome.”

 

Inspector Bernadine Sagasa believes that when she and other female officers get involved in community projects, it really makes a special difference. Their presence brings a unique touch that positively influences the community in ways only they can.

 

Inspector Bernadine Sagasa, Commander, Precinct II

“Celebrating women is very important likewise, because we play different roles, not only as women. We are also mothers, as police officers being in the department as women. We’re looked at as nurturers, as parents, you know, even on the job.”

 

Recognition for the contribution of women as police officers has improved over the years, with women police officers occupying every rank. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams:

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Women in law enforcement can be traced all the way back to 1963 when the first women police officers were recruited. From then to now we have progressed tremendously. We’re at this current time we have just under six hundred women police officers and we have women police officers at every rank within the department except the commissioner’s rank. That goes to show again that we are not the department that sees ourselves as a man’s job or a man’s department. But rather one that is diverse and we try to promote people based on their skills and their job knowledge as opposed to their gender.”

 

For the women officers, getting involved in uplifting community activities is just as crucial as keeping the peace. They know that making a positive impact in the community is as important as enforcing the law.

 

Inspector Bernadine Sagasa

“Most of the time we’re looked at as different and as enemies towards the public but engaging in activities like this encourages the community to work with us more.”

 

Inspector Hortence Hernandez

“We want to show them likewise the different side of policing. As you said, we are not just here to arrest and charge people, we are here to do other social activities.”

 

Marion Ali for News Five.