3 days ago
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One of the biggest concerns identified by Interim Minister of Home Affairs Julius Espat during his first days overseeing the ministry is what he describes as a serious morale problem within the Belize Police Department. Following a series of meetings with senior commanders and officers, Espat said the issue has surfaced repeatedly in his discussions and will require immediate attention. Speaking to Love News after the meeting, Espat said boosting morale will be one of his top priorities, explaining that officers who feel supported and valued are better equipped to serve the public effectively.
Julis Espat, Minister of Home Affairs: “I believe they need more resources. Strategically positioned. I believe the morale of the police force needs to increase and that’s just a matter of spending more time and looking at the concerns that all ranks, because sometimes you only speak to the higher ranks but you need to also speak to everybody to get a better feeling as to why the morale is low. The morale is low. But I don’t think it’s difficult to raise the morale. And so I’m going through that process right now. I am explaining to the commanders what my vision is. It’s a balanced approach. And I am trying to convince them that we agree on the approach. Even if we have to adjust on either side, we cannot continue working if there’s no agreement. We have to work as a family, as a unit, in any organization. If it’s an army, if it’s a political movement, if it’s a ministry, if it’s the private sector, the team has to agree that this is the goal, this is the mission, and this is how we want to achieve it. At least on a short-term basis and then you have three phases, short-term, medium-term, long-term.”
Reporter: So what’s your plan moving forward to that, and in terms of boosting morale, in terms of addressing these weaknesses ?
Julis Espat, Minister of Home Affairs: “Personal participation and lobbying for some resources to get what they drastically need. For example, you have a police officer manning a checkpoint somewhere and it’s raining like crazy and he has no raincoat. Just to give you an idea. Or he’s patrolling at night without a flashlight. And what do we want in return? If we provide you with the resources that you need? Well, we expect you to be disciplined, we expect you to dress properly, we expect you to carry yourself professionally so that the people can respect you. And we expect that when the rules are set out, and it’s not invented rules, they’re there, that you abide by them too. We expect that you don’t rough up our population. So we will give you what you need, we will give you the respect that you deserve, and we will demand respect in return. And that’s the philosophy to move forward.”
Espat said improving morale will not happen overnight but believes it starts with leadership that listens. He said he intends to engage officers at every level of the department, identify the issues affecting them, and work with the Police High Command to find practical solutions. The interim minister added that recognizing officers for their work, maintaining open communication, and ensuring fairness throughout the department will be central to that effort.
He noted that restoring confidence among personnel is not unfamiliar territory for him. He said throughout his years in public service, he has encountered organizations facing similar challenges and believes morale can be rebuilt through consistent leadership and meaningful engagement.
Julis Espat, Minister of Home Affairs: “Remember that thing I told you about low morale? A lot of it is based on people feeling disrespected. When we went into MIDH initially we had the same problem. The morale was low. And why was it? And we found out by me and the CEO and others going around and sitting with people and saying, “Hey what’s going on why are you chewing gum all day and not doing any work. Why ?” you going? They said boss why will I do the work if nobody will listen to me ? Why will I do the work if when I finish it and it comes out good nobody will tell me I did a good job ?” So you realize that it’s basic human problems that we are facing that it’s you go on the streets and what the first thing they tell you “Noh di disrespect me.”. And so it’s the basis of our problem in our society. And if we can give the respect to the people that work hard I believe they will produce because they have children too.”
Espat says his meetings with officers will continue in the coming days as he gains a deeper understanding of the department’s operational and personnel needs.
English (US) ·