Officer Commanding Western Police Formation teaming up with Santander Sugar to address causes of crime through job creation

By Benjamin Flowers: At the beginning of February, Assistant Commissioner of Police Howell Gillett, was assigned as the commander of the western form of the Belize Police Department. This week, Gillett, who is known for an emphasis on community engagement and preventative policing by addressing the root causes of crime such as poverty and lack of education, engaged Santander Sugar Refinery in Valley of Peace about employment opportunities for at-risk youths.

Gillett says he recently concluded a meeting with the management of Santander, and they have agreed to train and possibly employ at-risk young people from the Western Police Region in the fields of mechanics and heavy-duty operations.

He said that he also spoke with Santander on other areas of cooperation, including the co-sponsorship of a Western Regional football cup for youths.

“They have also committed to assisting in improving the police’s mobility with a view to improve our response time,” Gillett said. “Our aim is to reach out to young people even before they think about a life of crime. Thank you Santander!”

Gillett was assigned to his new post on February 1, which put him in charge of the City of Belmopan, the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, Benque Viejo Town, and Roaring Creek Sub-station, and over 50 rural villages. He brings with him 29 years of experience in policing and in-depth knowledge of the area, having worked in all the listed areas since 1998 in varying capacities including the commander of Belmopan.

In 2018, while he was working in Belize City, Gillett, collaborated with private sector partners to give a number of youths training in barbering and got them equipment for them to start their own barbershops.

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