Government Proposes Security Vetting and Polygraph Tests for Access to Classified Information

The Government of Belize also tabled the National Security Council (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Introducing the measure, Prime Minister John Briceño said Belize faces ongoing security threats from both internal and external sources. He explained that the proposed legislation is aimed at strengthening the protection of sensitive national information through the mandatory security vetting of individuals with access to classified material. Under the bill, designated personnel would be required to undergo comprehensive background checks, rigorous security screening, and periodic polygraph examinations as part of the government’s enhanced national security framework. 

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “This is the National Security Council amendment bill 2026. I rise to introduce a bill for an act to amend the National Security Council Act #15 of 2014 to provide the for the mandatory security vetting of staff and other persons with access to sensitive information, to provide for the making of regulations in respect to security vetting and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental to. Corruption among security services undermines the work of all other partner agencies and as security threats become more complex Belize’s security services require a more robust legal framework to ensure the integrity of their personnel. So the proposed legislative amendment is to require stringent vetting including polygraphing of the national defense directorate. It is the first of its kind in Belize and underscores the commitment of this administration to root out corruption that ignores, facilitates and at times actively supports criminal activity including drugs and weapons trafficking. We expect other security services to follow with similar legislative amendments in the future. So the current proposal includes background checks, polygraph exams and drug screening. And includes polygraphing procedure and notifications of the outcomes and the establishment and composition of a vetting compliance committee to ensure that the process is fair, transparent.”

According to the government, the National Security Council (Amendment) Bill is designed to strengthen accountability within the public sector by helping to detect and deter corruption, identify potential security risks, and enhance the protection of classified information. The proposed legislation would establish stricter standards for individuals entrusted with sensitive national information, ensuring that access to and management of such material is limited to personnel who have successfully met the required security clearance standards.