By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): In a notable show of public support, former UDP chairman Alberto August has praised Julius Espat’s leadership of the Belize Police Department, describing the new acting Minister of Home Affairs as a welcome change at the top.
In a Facebook post, August wrote, “At long last, a breath of fresh air, sober mind and level headed direction at the helm of the Belize Police Department.” He added, “If it can be done, Julius Espat will get it done.”
The praise carries added weight given August’s own recent history with the police. August is at the center of a cyber-bullying case brought under the Cybercrime Act, a matter that stemmed from a complaint filed by former Minister of Home Affairs Oscar Mira. That case had been handled as an internal police matter, despite an apparent conflict of interest, since Mira was both the complainant and, at the time, the minister responsible for the police.
That changed when Espat stepped into the role. In one of his first significant moves, the new minister directed that August’s file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for an independent decision, rather than leaving it to be handled internally. Espat said he wanted the matter dealt with in the most independent way possible, explaining that the DPP, as the authority constitutionally responsible for prosecution decisions, should determine whether the charge proceeds. He also acknowledged that the optics of how the case had been handled were not positive. The DPP, for her part, welcomed the approach, calling it a mature, professional and sensible position.
It is against that backdrop that August’s words of praise land. For the former chairman, Espat’s willingness to step back, consult, and route the matter to the proper authority appears to represent the kind of fair and steady leadership he had been hoping to see.
Espat took on the Home Affairs portfolio on an acting basis after Mira stepped away from Cabinet. Mira’s leave of absence came amid a wider controversy over government payments to businesses linked to his family, a matter now the subject of an audit by the Auditor General. Mira has denied any involvement in awarding contracts or directing payments, and no findings have been made at this stage.
Since taking up the role, Espat has signaled a focus on independence and fairness, and his early decisions have drawn a measure of goodwill from observers across the political divide. While the challenges facing the police remain significant, from tackling crime to maintaining public trust, the early signs have given some Belizeans reason for cautious optimism.
For now, August’s message reflects a sentiment that Espat’s tenure, though still in its early days, has started on a promising note.
Whether that optimism holds will depend on what comes next, but the new minister has at least won some early praise for the tone he has set.
The post Alberto August praises Espat’s leadership of the police appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): In a notable show of public support, former UDP chairman Alberto August has praised Julius Espat’s leadership of the Belize Police Department, describing the new acting Minister of Home Affairs as a welcome change at the top. In a Facebook post, August wrote, “At long last, a breath of
The post Alberto August praises Espat’s leadership of the police appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
