Seven officers attached to the San Pedro Police Station and two island residents were honored during the annual Police Red and White Gala held in Belize City on Friday, February 19th. The Gala is held as a form of appreciation for outstanding police officers and community members across the country. The honorees from San Pedro included Officer in Charge of the Coastal Executive Unit Superintendent Sandra Bodden, Sergeant Raymond Berry, Police Constable (PC) Norman Coye, Woman Police Constable Arelee Young, PC Epifanio Bol, PC Arthur Anthony, business owner Juan Gomez and business owner Peter Lawrence.
Dressed in red and white, attendees enjoyed a night of food, drinks and music. Throughout the night, the different police attachments honored respective members of their station and community. These appreciation awards are a form of gratitude for the hard work that the honorees have made in the past year to ensure a safer Belize.
Presenting the awards for the San Pedro Police Department was Deputy Coastal Executive Officer, Assistant Superintendent Henry Jemmott. “It is important that we show gratitude. It encourages persons to work harder. We award outstanding community members who are always there to assist us in any way they can. Without their support, the police would face even more challenges, so we thank them,” said Jemmott.
After the gala, The San Pedro Sun had the opportunity to speak with one of the awardees. Peter Lawrence is the owner of Caribbean Villas Resort and Pedro’s Inn, and was awarded for his outstanding contribution to law enforcement in San Pedro Town for the year 2015. “I was very pleased to be awarded. I think the police are doing a great job compared to a few years ago. I believe that the head of San Pedro Police Station are doing a wonderful job for San Pedro,” said Lawrence, who indicated that he will continue assisting the police in the future in any way he can. “Most people seem to not want to help the police. I think more business owners should step up to the plate and assist in the community. Without a doubt the police are doing a much better job than in the past.”
The other officers awarded also expressed delight in being recipients of the appreciation awards at the gala.
