Last night, we told you about the 18 guns and the several thousand rounds of ammunition that the police were able to recover hours after thieves broke into the Victor L Bryant gun store, located on Lake I Boulevard in Belize City.
The cops were able to retrieve all those weapons, and detained the suspects through sharp police work. The police top brass wants to encourage that type of initiative, and today, they held an award ceremony to recognize these cops as well as others for high level performance while on the job.
7News attended, and Daniel Ortiz has that story:
Daniel Ortiz reporting
These 39 police men and women are being recognized for bravery on the job and for good police work. Their police bosses say that they are exactly the type of cops they trust to be out on the streets, representing the department while they try to keep law and order.
Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police
"Over the past week, I must say, our operations countrywide have yielded significant success. We have seen over 20 firearms being removed from the streets, for which persons have been charged, and in some cases, persons are not charged. These are separate and apart from the guns that were recovered from the Gallaty burglary. If we are to add those, it brings us to almost 40 firearms in a week off the streets. And getting those guns off the street may not be as easy as one may think."
Hon. John Saldivar - Ministry of National Security
"We known that in policing, just as politics, we do a job that is thankless, that very seldom gets the recognition that we do, but sometimes it is up to us, ourselves and our organizations to which we belong for us to highlight and recognize those who have done exceptionally well and beyond the call of duty."
Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police
"Today is about giving recognition to those officers who have done exceptionally well, those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty."
"While we deal with you when you do wrong, it is only prudent that when you right, that we also recognize you, and reward you for good performance."
So, each of the officers received a plaque with their certificate inside and an envelope from their Commissioner and their Ministerial boss.
The officers tell us that it is gratifying to to know that their hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed.
Sgt. William Maroquin - Awardee
"I'm glad. I rejoice that I've been one of the police officers that have been recognize for today. With everything, hard work always pays off. I encourage other police officers to do the same, and they will be in the same position that I am at this moment, to be recognized."
PC Dion Perez - Awardee
"It's a good thing. It motivates me, and I believe it motivates other police officers in doing a wonderful job, and to continue doing a good job. It makes me feel that our hard wok isn't just for nothing."
"I do it for my 2 daughters. They admire me. They're proud of me, and they're the most important reason why I do it. And again, when I see innocent people crying out for help, all of that makes me want to come to work to help. Even when I am on day-off, I see what's happening, and I feel like I need to be there. I need to be there working."
As part of the award ceremony, the 39 cops were also treated to lunch.
And while the awards and bouquets of praise are well deserved, as regards the VL Bryant robbery - we hope an equal volume of reprimands were in store for those investigators who failed to make any arrests after the first break in at the same business days earlier.
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