By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP):
New Minister of Home Affairs Julius Espat sat down in Belmopan with former Commissioners of Police and senior police commanders, in what he described as a first-of-its-kind meeting. But it is the man who was not at the table who has people talking.
According to the Government of Belize Press Office, the discussions focused on crime-prevention strategies, the creation of a more efficient and effective Police Department, earning the trust and confidence of the public, and building the morale of the men and women in uniform. Minister Espat said the meeting was critical not only to pay respect to these former police leaders, but also to gain valuable insight and input from their collective decades of policing experience.
For Espat, an architect by training who is new to the policing portfolio, the outreach makes sense. As 7News reported, the group included former commissioners Jeffries and Westby, along with former Deputy Commissioners Maureen Leslie and Mike Segura, a deep bench of law enforcement experience.
Notably absent, however, as 7News pointed out, was the most recent and most readily available past commissioner, Chester Williams, who is widely credited with bringing the murder count to a 20-year low during his tenure. No explanation has been offered publicly for why the former top cop was not part of the gathering, and it is not known whether he was invited.
The omission stands out precisely because of the meeting’s stated purpose. If the goal was to tap the wisdom of those who have led the Police Department, the commissioner with the freshest experience of its challenges, and arguably its most celebrated recent results, would seem an obvious voice to include.
Espat has moved quickly to put his own stamp on the Home Affairs portfolio since taking it over, drawing praise in some quarters for his handling of recent matters. This consultation signals a minister looking to learn fast. Whether Chester Williams eventually gets a seat at that table, and why he did not have one this time, are questions that will linger.
The post Espat meets police veterans, but where was Chester Williams? appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): New Minister of Home Affairs Julius Espat sat down in Belmopan with former Commissioners of Police and senior police commanders, in what he described as a first-of-its-kind meeting. But it is the man who was not at the table who has people talking. According to the Government of Belize
The post Espat meets police veterans, but where was Chester Williams? appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
