Belize's Police Force: What You Need To Know

Belize, a country that has consistently ranked among the top 10 countries in the world for homicides, does have a national police force. The Belize Police Department, descended from the British Honduras Constabulary, is the country's national police force and is headquartered in Belmopan. The police force has faced challenges due to increasing violent crime, drug trafficking, and corruption, but efforts are being made to improve its effectiveness and address these issues.

Belize Police Department's history

The Belize Police Department (BPD) is the national police force of Belize, responsible for law enforcement across the country. The BPD has a long history dating back to the 19th century, when Belize was known as British Honduras.

The first system of organised policing in Belize was established in 1886 with the formation of the British Honduras Constabulary Force under the command of Captain D M Allen. The force was made up of mainly Barbadian nationals on five-year contracts, with a total of 141 personnel. By 1888, the force had expanded to 175 officers and other ranks, garrisoned in the towns of Orange Walk, Corozal, and Belize City. In 1902, the separate Constabulary Force was abolished, and the police adopted the title British Honduras Police Force.

Following World War I, the force was reorganised, and for the first time, British Honduras soldiers returning home enlisted. In 1920, Mr F J L Cavenaugh was appointed, and the foundation of the unified Police Force as we know it today was laid. The force was commanded by a succession of expatriate officers who held the post of Superintendent of Police.

In 1957, the title of the commanding officer changed to Commissioner of Police, and Mr Bruce H Taylor was appointed the first Commissioner. During this time, wireless radio communications were introduced in all police districts, greatly enhancing the force's communication capabilities. A Police Training School was also formally established, and by 1963, women were being recruited as Constables.

In 1969, the first Belizean Police Commissioner, Mr S A J Adolphous OBE QPM BEM, was appointed. In 1973, the official name of the force was changed to the Belize National Police, and later, the word "Force" was replaced with "Department" to fit the new vision of the police. In 1981, Belize gained its independence from the United Kingdom, and the police force became known as the Belize Police Force.

In the early 1990s, the commissioner and all senior police officers were Belizeans. The force was responsible for policing the country, managing immigration matters, and maintaining law and order. The BPD has continued to face challenges, particularly with the increase in drug trafficking and the associated corruption and violent crime. Despite these challenges, the BPD works to enhance security and maintain regional stability.

Police training and duties

The Belize Police Department is the country's national police force, descended from the British Honduras Constabulary (BHC). It is headquartered in Belmopan and headed by a Commissioner.

Police Training

The Police Training School in Belmopan offers 16-week training programs for recruits, covering general police duties and procedures, criminal law, evidence, traffic management, and firearms. Recruits must reside at the Training Academy throughout their training and can be dismissed at any time. Progress tests are administered regularly, and failure to pass these tests may result in dismissal. During initial training, recruits are attached to the Patrol Branch, Eastern Division, for one week for familiarization. They are accompanied by experienced officers and do not perform duties unaccompanied.

Senior police officers attend a 10-week command course run by the British police in Britain. The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) also provides training to the Belize Police Department to enhance their ability to detect and disrupt narcotics trafficking.

Police Duties

The Belize Police Department is divided into two main branches: Operational and Administrative. The Operational branch consists of the Anti-Drug Unit and Uniformed Operations, including the Gang Suppression Unit and the Mobile Interdiction Team. The Uniformed Operations unit includes Community Policing, the Special Patrol Unit, and the National Traffic Branch. The Administrative branch includes the National Prosecuting Branch, Planning Unit and Inspections, Chaplain, Welfare and Sports, and the Police Information and Technology unit (PITU).

Police officers typically perform their regular duties unarmed, with arms issued for special duties or extreme cases. Their uniforms resemble those of British police forces, with sergeants and lower ranks wearing khaki shirts, blue serge trousers with a green seam, and dark blue peaked caps. Some investigators are not required to wear uniforms.

Police uniforms

The Belize Police Department is the country's national police force, descended from the British Honduras Constabulary (BHC), which was established in 1886. The uniforms of the Belize Police Department officers resemble those of British police forces. Sergeants and lower ranks wear khaki shirts, blue serge trousers with a green seam on both sides, and dark blue peaked caps. Some police investigators are not required to wear uniforms.

The constabulary personnel, initially numbering 141, were recruited in Barbados because local men showed no interest in enlisting. The government assigned the early police the task of preserving law and order in the colony. The Constabulary was first established as a paramilitary force, but in 1902, it was turned into a civil police force.

After World War I, the constabulary was reorganised when soldiers returning from service abroad (along with several Barbadians and Jamaicans) joined the force. The force was reorganised again in 1957 when its first commissioner of police instituted modernising reforms that resulted in the force's present form. During the colonial period, expatriate officers filled all senior posts in the police. However, with self-government and then independence, more Belizeans assumed positions of authority.

In the early 1990s, the commissioner and all senior police officers were Belizeans. The police force had an authorised strength of approximately 500, with a ratio of about three police officers to every 1,000 inhabitants. Police operations were divided into three territorial divisions: Eastern (including Belmopan and Belize City), Central, and Western. The force also had a small maritime element that operated six shallow-draft motorboats capable of patrolling coastal waters frequented by smugglers.

The Belize Police Department is headed by a Commissioner and is divided into two main branches: Operational and Administrative. The Operational branch consists of the Anti-Drug Unit and Uniformed Operations, including the Gang Suppression Unit and the Mobile Interdiction Team. Uniformed operations include Community Policing, the Special Patrol Unit, and the National Traffic Branch.

Police corruption

Belize has a national police force, the Belize Police Department, which is headquartered in Belmopan and headed by a Commissioner. The country's law enforcement has been criticised for its ineffectiveness, low conviction rates, and insufficient resources for crime prevention.

The Belize Police Department has been accused of corruption, particularly in relation to drug trafficking. In 2018, a police constable and superintendent were charged with conspiracy to land a plane on an unauthorised aerodrome and helping to import cocaine into Belize. In another incident, members of the nation's defence force and police officers were arrested after trying to flee the site where a plane carrying cocaine had landed.

The US State Department has identified Belize as a "major transit country for drugs coming from South America", due to its central location, porous borders, and sparsely populated landscape. Traffickers take advantage of the country's lack of air defence systems and radar capabilities to monitor illicit air traffic. Corrupt officials have been implicated in sharing inside information with traffickers, warning them of law enforcement operations, and offering protection for transporting illicit substances.

In addition to drug-related corruption, there have been reports of police abuse of power, brutality, theft, extortion, and even murder. A culture of impunity and a lack of oversight and accountability within the department have been cited as contributing factors. The public's trust in the police has been undermined by these incidents, with perceptions of the police suffering due to charges of official collusion in the drug trade and the use of unnecessary force.

To address the issue of police corruption in Belize, there have been calls for increased transparency and accountability within the department, as well as a redesign of the police force to better serve and protect the community.

International police cooperation

Belize has a national police force, the Belize Police Department, which is descended from the British Honduras Constabulary (BHC). The department is headquartered in Belmopan and is divided into two main branches: Operational and Administrative. The Belize Police Department is responsible for policing the country and managing regular immigration matters.

In addition to Interpol and the IWF, there are other international organisations that promote police cooperation. Europol, the European Police Office, enables police forces within the European Union to exchange information and combat terrorism, drug trade, and other serious forms of international organised crime. Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) are also formed when a crime is committed abroad or involves individuals living abroad. These teams are established through agreements signed by public prosecutors, outlining the countries involved, the investigation's aim, and its duration.

Furthermore, the United States' Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) works to strengthen police forces in other countries to counter international crime and reduce the flow of illegal drugs into the US. INL provides training, equipment, and technical assistance to the Belize Police Department to enhance their capabilities in disrupting narcotics trafficking, improving border security, and investigating financial crimes.

Through international cooperation, police forces can access vital information, resources, and expertise to effectively address crime, especially in an increasingly globalised and interconnected world.

Frequently asked questions