Senior Superintendent of Police Chester Williams handed over as the officer commanding in the Cayo District yesterday after only a month in the job. But it's not for any disciplinary or administrative reason; Williams is heading to law school.
He left the country today en route to the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies in Barbados where he will pursue a three year program for a Bachelors of Law.
The 36 year old rose meteorically though the ranks between 2003 and 2008 - and fell from grace after the UDP was elected. For a while he was relegated to a desk job, and then recently re-activated to take over Cayo. But now he's pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming lawyer. But don't look out for him to be joining Barrow and Williams - Chester says he is a career cop - and before heading to the airport he told us that a lawman should also know the law he upholds:
Chester Williams, Sr. Supt. - OC Cayo
"From ever since I join the police department I believe that it is important for police officers to be as much as possible legally qualified because of the various things that we encounter as police officers. We must ensure that we will be able to give the proper advice when the need arise."
Jules Vasquez
"The circumstances under which you are leaving are quite extraordinary in terms as I understand it you have been granted leave without pay."
Chester Williams, Sr. Supt. - OC Cayo
"Yes I was approve leave without pay for the first instance."
Jules Vasquez
"I guess anyone out in the public would ask; a) leave without pay, you would have to pay your own way thru school, which has its own expense and. b) you have to keep providing for your family here in Belize as well. There aren't many police officers who can afford to do that. So people out there would reasonable conclude ' from where do you get all that money" I am not trying to get into your business, but to some extent you are a public figure."
Chester Williams, Sr. Supt. - OC Cayo
"Yes Jules and I must say that is true and I give thanks to my mother. My mother has always been there for me. She gave me some assets and I am selling out of those assets in order for me to be able to cover my school tuition and other fees for this year and hopefully next school year."
Jules Vasquez
"I am not trying to put your business on the streets either but at the same time you are someone who has work steadily throughout your career to educate yourself because when you entered the department at 18 years of age. You were not an educated person but you have work at yourself improvement."
Chester Williams, Sr. Supt. - OC Cayo
"Yes Jules I actually join police at age 17. At that time I only had a primary school certificate and when I came to Belize City in 2001 I took the opportunity and I enlisted at SJC Extension and I did my diploma course at SJC and I remember those days Jules when I was going to SJC I was being criticized. I have some of my colleagues who pass some very negative remarks about me to the press. At one point in time there was an article about me in the Reporter Newspaper; Oh an inspector Officer Commanding CIB going to St. John's Extension, they took it as an insult but none the less I held my head up high and I end up graduating from SJC Extension there after I enroll in the criminal justice associate's program at SJC Junior College where I complete my associate degree in criminal justice with honors in October of last year."
Jules Vasquez
"You have dealt with haters throughout your career particularly your meteoric accent you became one of the youngest senior superintendents in memory. Is that motivation for you?"
Chester Williams, Sr. Supt. - OC Cayo
"Jules when ever people throw negative remarks at me I take those negative remarks and I turn it into something positive. When people criticizes you there are not telling you anything about yourself they are telling you about themselves, so that is how I look at life. No one can frustrate, the only person can frustrate me is me. People could only try and they will only succeed as much as I allow them too. So I will not take any negative remarks to make it demoralized me from chasing what I know is right. i want this and trust me I am going after this with valor in order to succeed I am not going to fail, I will do my best and I will make my country proud."
Williams joins Superintendent Bart Jones who also got accepted to law school. But Jones went three weeks ago when school started - and he also got the benefit of economic assistance and paid study leave. Williams says he will re-apply next year to at least get paid leave.
After completing the Bachelor of Law in Barbados, Williams will go unto the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica where he will pursue his certificate in legal education.
HE says he will work with the police when he comes home for holidays and has every intention of returning to the department.
Inspector Claudio Mai takes over in San Ignacio but no new officer has yet been named to take over the Cayo District.