UNICEF and Belize Police Department establish 1st Child Friendly Interview Room

By BBN Staff: On Friday, UNICEF Belize and the Belize Police Department through the Juvenile Justice Programme celebrated a first milestone with the opening of the first Child Friendly Interview Room at the San Ignacio Police Station.

“A child friendly space within a police station signifies a prioritization of the police’s responsibility of providing safety and protection to children in their workspace, work force, investigative and procedural formalities, behavior and mannerisms,” UNICEF noted.

UNICEF says that the need to support police officers to be equipped to interact with children has been a part of the Juvenile Justice Agenda of UNICEF and partners as a key activity in the Child Justice Action Plan. However, the resulting increase in the number of children being charged for COVID-19 offences has made this a priority.

UNICEF noted that in 2020 over 300 children interacted with police and as public health measures are enforced to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the police are a critical stakeholder in protecting children in times of emergencies.

Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries, Kareem Musa, delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony.

 In his remarks, Musa underscored the Ministry’s commitment to “send the message to every child who either comes in contact or in conflict with the law that whatever went wrong, we can fix it, and return to them being kids again.”

UNICEF Representative for Belize, Alison Parker, in her opening remarks explained that UNICEF’s goal is to be responsive to emerging issues affecting children.

She says, “as UNICEF celebrates its 75th year, we are looking to keep our responses and interventions to children, relevant, impactful and solution oriented to tackle current challenges.”

Similar rooms will be established at the Queen Street, Raccoon Street, Punta Gorda, Roaring Creek Police Station and the Belize Defense Force Camp in Ladyville.

These stations were chosen given the frequent interaction between children and police officers in these specific areas and the BDF Camp space will facilitate children and families who access medical services there.

Kevin Arthurs, CEO in the Ministry of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries also lauded the initiative for the psychological benefit to the mental health of children.

Officials at the event were taken on a tour of the features of the room that includes as private soundproof interview space equipped with camera facilities, age-appropriate play area, a computer station and a private office.

A major component of the child friendly space includes the development of protocols for interviewing and interacting with children.

UNICEF has committed to the development of these protocols and to train a multi-disciplinary team that will include police, social workers, legal aid attorneys and justice of the peace officials to appropriately utilize the space.

Alison Parker concluded with UNICEF’s commitment to amplifying work in the area of Juvenile Justice.

 “UNICEF continues to support protection for every child, access to justice for every child, and stands committed to supporting the Belize Police Department with the delivery of equitable justice for children both in contact and in conflict with the law. Our children deserve no less,” Parker asserted.

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