Police Reviewing Future of Leadership Intervention Unit Work Program

The future of the Leadership Intervention Unit’s work program remains under review, with Commissioner of Police Dr. Richard Rosado confirming that authorities are carefully evaluating the initiative before making any decision on whether it should resume. The work program, which was suspended on May 26, provided temporary employment and stipends to more than 500 participants, paying out approximately one hundred and sixty thousand dollars every two weeks. However, it is important to note that only the work program component was paused. The other operational aspects of the LIU continue to function as part of the government’s broader violence intervention efforts. Speaking to reporters today, Commissioner Rosado said the review is focused on determining what aspects of the program worked well and where improvements may be needed before any decision is made on its future.

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police: “You have to appreciate that social intervention programs must be based on evidence and under Mr.Mira’s tenure certain feedback we received require that we do some assessment of the social intervention programs and determine whether they’re actually having an impact. We I believe by doing an assessment it gives us an opportunity to show we’re accountable, transparent and we embrace evidence based approach, and we embrace continuous improvement. So it gives us an opportunity to give us a thorough assessment of what needs to be done. Please appreciate that only one or two programs is currently under assessment or temporarily on a pause. The then Minister, Minister Mira, and CEO and I we sat with the Director of LIU. The Minister explained his position to the director. They were given a month or two notice to inform the individuals on the ground of the programs that would go under assessment. So there was ample time for us to do the necessary adjustment, everybody involved knew about the assessment that was being made. The assessment is in the process of wrapping up but we do recognize that whatever social intervention program we implement there must be meaningful behavioral change and hence the reason for the assessment of certain programs.”

While no timeline has been announced for a final decision, officials have maintained that the review is intended to ensure the program delivers the greatest possible impact if it is reintroduced.  When the suspension of the work program was first announced on May 26, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Elton Bennett, stressed that the initiative had never been intended to become a permanent source of employment. Bennett explained that the work program was designed as a transitional intervention to help participants gain stability while pursuing longer-term education, training, or employment opportunities.

Elton Bennett, CEO, Ministry of Home Affairs: “There are different factors that led us to the decision that we are at this point where we are revising and assessing the efforts of the LIU in different areas. But first of all, let me state for the record that it’s not the entire LIU that we are pausing at this time. The work of the LIU is very important, especially at this time. So those intervention efforts are continuing and some of those other programs that are essential, especially during the state of emergency at this time is very essential and they would be continuing. What we’re taking a pause on right now is the work program that we have with the Belize City Council where we employ at risk youth and some members who are affiliated with criminal gangs in Belize City and where they were given an opportunity for employment. The whole intent of the work program was to have these individuals employed working on this beautification program in Belize City. That’s the program that we are currently pausing in order for us to revisit and to see the individuals that are on the program to determine their suitability to continue. Quite a few individuals that are a part of this beautification program, the work program in Belize City are actually incarcerated. That in itself would disqualify these individuals from benefiting financially. We currently have over 20 personnel incarcerated at the Kolby Foundation that were individuals who were identified as part of the SOE that needed to be detained and questioned. Most of them would have other sources of income, or they would be required to have another source of income. This assistance through the work program wasn’t intended to be a career. It wasn’t intended to be your sole purpose, your sole source of income. It was only an assistance for yourself and your family.”

The LIU work program was introduced as part of a wider anti-violence strategy aimed at reducing gang activity, crime and social instability by engaging at-risk young people, particularly in Belize City, through temporary employment opportunities and social intervention.