Much like the mass parties and the media, the police department is gearing up for general elections. The commissioner said that they will work to ensure stability, and try to anticipate what may go down concerning the very unique situation of the two UDP's.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"We are prepared. Elections and Boundaries had a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the issues or strategies as it relates to elections. From a police department standpoint we have put together our elections order, having received the different polling stations. And we're doing elections briefing across the country to ensure that police officer understand what is going to be their roles and expectations on election day. Our duty is to make sure that the elections go through free and without any hindrance and we're prepared to do so. we work in tandem with the elections and boundaries commission. They set the rules at the polling stations and we are just there to enforce or to act in support of them. And that is going to be how we're going to police this election as we have always done."
Jules Vasquez:
"Are you concerned about the risk of violence with the plurality of UDP candidates because you will have multiple people claiming they're UDP and it lends itself to friction?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Well, of course we do have that in mind to look at the different factions of the UDP and what they're going to bring, not just from the UDP but from the gang issue in certain areas of Belize City that we also have to make sure that we are prepared to police. we don't want that people go to polling stations to vote and they become victims of crime. We are looking at the entire dynamic to make sure that everybody who wants to go and vote can do so in a safe environment."
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