Press Release – GOB Press Office, Belmopan – November 4, 2011 – The Ministry of the Public Service and the Security Services Commission wishes to clarify concerns with respect to promotions within the Belize Police Department.
The power/function of promotion rests with the Security Services Commission as established under the Belize Constitution (Third Amendment) Act 2001. Promotion, therefore, just as appointment, discipline, and removal from office, are all powers of the Security Services Commission.
The Security Services Commission delegates its powers to the Commissioner of Police with respect to the lower level ranks within the Police Department. These include Constables, Corporals and Sergeants of Police. Promotions within these ranks are done by way of a Promotion Board making recommendations to the Commissioner of Police. The Commissioner, therefore, is well in order with respect to promotions at these levels; and that any appeal to the decision of the Commissioner would follow to the Belize Advisory Council.
However, with respect to promotions from Sergeants of Police to Inspector of Police and above, the Security Services Commission gets directly involved.
The Security Services Commission acts on the recommendation of an interviewing panel.
There are one hundred ten (110) Sergeants of Police.
An interviewing panel will convene commencing Tuesday, 8th November 2011. This interviewing panel will interview all Sergeants of Police in an effort to consider suitability for promotion to the rank of Inspector. It is expected that the interviewing panel will sit for some four (4) days.
There are fourteen (14) vacant positions at the rank of Inspector at this time.
Once the interviewing panel concludes, it will make its recommendations based on its findings to the Security Services Commission. (ENDS)
