Two Hundred and Thirty-One New Police Officers in Squad Ninety-Seven

A passing out ceremony was held today for two hundred and thirty-one new police officers at the National Police Training Academy. They are Squad Ninety-seven. This is the largest group of police recruit squad in the nation’s history. Additionally, Squad Ninety-seven also has more women police officers passing out than any recruit squad prior. Today, family members and friends of these recruits gathered on the compound in Belmopan beaming with joy and pride and they celebrated their achievements. Also present was Kareem Musa, the Minister of Home Affairs. He addressed the gathering.

 

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“You make history today because you are members of the largest recruit squad in Belize’s history. Today we are honored to welcome a cadre of two hundred and thirty-one new police officers. More significant than that squad ninety-seven has proven to be a squad of firsts, with an unprecedented fifty-seven of its trainees being women. This constitutes nearly twenty-five percent of the squad, surpassing the United Nations standard of just twenty-percent. It is our hope that with steps such as these we are planting the seed of some day sooner rather than alter having our first woman commissioner of police. Today however I want to answer the question, what is a police officer for anyways. Graduates, a little under a year ago I stood here to remind squad ninety-six of a seminal message. Your job is the business of security, but it only becomes meaningful when people feel safe. You must remember you are many things to many people, but primarily you must remember that you are professional. Over these last few months, you have been given the skillsets to operate in any situation, ranging from basic first aid, public relations and communications and even financial literacy. All transferable skills are meant to make you resilient in any community setting.”