The Commander of the National Community Policing Unit, Howell Gillett, has been awarded with an appointment as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. And he went all the way to Buckingham Palace in London to get it!
In his statement, he says, quote, "I stand before you as the first police officer from Belize to be honored by Buckingham Palace for Service to the Community."
Back here in Belize, the press asked ComPol if he had any words of congratulations.
But while Williams grudgingly gave his kudos, he made it clear that there are plenty of other officers who have received MBE's before him.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I'm not fully aware of Mr Gillett's award, you're giving me news actually. But if that is the case, I will say congratulations to him. I know that he received MBE or OBE award? He's not the first police to get that, I got my MBE a couple years ago."
Reporter:
"It's for community policing I believe."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Well we get for different reasons but he got an OBE or an MBE and I had received mines about 4 years ago. We have many commissioners before who have received those awards, so it's not the first as you were saying. But I was told that he traveled all the way to England to receive his, which I find to be very unusual but congratulations to him. He went on a trip which I believe was of great experience to him. He reported in a conference this morning some of his experience in meeting with people, meeting with community police officers in London and exchanging ideas and so he came back with some ideas that he believe will be able to enhance community policing efforts in Belize."
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