| Changing gears now...
For 3 weeks, Assistant Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado has quietly taken the lead at the Police largest formation, the Eastern Division, where he's the officer in command.
He took over from ACP Alden Dawson, who was one of the 3 senior cops sanctioned for the Gang Suppression Unit's provocation of the waterfront workers during their protest on the compound of the Port of Belize last month.
So, Dr. Rosado was selected in a hurry as the senior cop to take Dawson's place. He hit the ground running and today, he granted us an interview to discuss what his management style will look like as the head of the Eastern Division.
Here are a few excerpts of that extended, sit-down interview, in which he promised Belize City residents to be a fair - but firm - cop:
ACP Dr. A. Richard Rosado - Commander, Eastern Division
"As the commander of the Eastern Division, I know it is a momentous task. And, I know it will require a collective effort. And I believe that improving the system of collaboration with all stakeholders is one of the main tasks that I need to undertake. I am grateful for the commitment and the tenacity that our officers have displayed over the past 3 weeks, especially toward our mandate of crime prevention."
"The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented challenges for the police department. On a daily basis by my police officers take risks that we can minimize, but that we cannot eliminate. Our traditional policing practices are affected by the pandemic. In fact, we are cognizant of the very same practices that we use to police the community, might also be the same practices that might endanger the community. As a result, we have taken the necessary measures to ensure that our police officers are protected and that we have provided them with the necessary personal protective equipment. We have put in place a screening mechanism for COVID-19, especially for those who display symptoms or might be exposed. We have also placed the necessary steps to ensure that we reduce the processing time for those persons who have been arrested and charged."
"I share the notion that we police with the consent of the people. And, as the commander of the Eastern Division, my intent is to improve the system of collaboration with all stakeholders. I want to assure the public that we are doing everything possible to safeguard their safety and the safety of the police officers."
"I just want to further advise the public that my office will be opened to them. I'll be a commander who will listen to all stakeholders. I'll be a commander that will listen, and whatever decision I make, I'll involve everyone."
Reporter
"What level of priority do you place community policing in terms of strategies to combat crime?"
ACP Dr. A. Richard Rosado
"Well, let me answer this in terms of my strategic plan for the Eastern Division. There's a full continuum of policing strategies available, from combat policing to community-oriented. Where I will Eastern Division is highly dependent on the crime analysis that I will periodically do. Please appreciate that where on that continuum I will place Eastern Division is also highly dependent on the Commissioner of Police's strategic plan for the Belize Police Department."
"I also believe that policing must be viewed from a political context, in terms of economic circumstances and development. And as such, I believe that we should focus on crime prevention through social development, reducing re-offending, effective policing through evidence-based policing, situational crime prevention, dismantling the leadership of crime, transferring the burden of fear from law-abiding citizens to criminals, and depriving the criminals of their tool of trade."
Dr. Rosado recently completed his PH.D. and is a Doctor of Business Administration. His thesis was on managing Change within a Law Enforcement Organization in the Caribbean
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