BELIZE CITY, Tues. May 5, 2020– Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Robert Mariano, the Commander of Administration and Management at the National Police Headquarters in Belmopan, today leaves the Police Department after 38 years of service to the department and to the country. He enlisted as a police officer in February 1982, and rose to the high rank of Deputy Commissioner, one rank away from being Commissioner of Police.

During his time in the department, he served in many capacities, held many commands and instituted many programs that are still in operation today. He has thus impacted the lives of many families through his numerous initiatives.

Presently, there is a program he is conducting at the Caesar Ridge Road Community Policing headquarters, in which single mothers and unemployed women are trained to sew clothes so that they can generate their own income to support themselves and their families.

Many families are forever grateful to him.

DCP Mariano served almost countrywide in varying capacities. He was Officer Commanding Orange Walk, Head of Prosecution in Corozal, Commanding Officer of the Southern Region, Commander Eastern Division, Commander Internal Branch,  and Commander Administration & Management, among many other posts and positions he held.

He was also instrumental in instituting the COPS (Citizens on Patrol) Program, through which he expanded the policing capacity of officers in the formation by recruiting civilians and providing them with some police training so that they can assist when there is a shortage of officers.

The program is still in operation in many communities.

Also, he was instrumental in instituting neighborhood watches in many communities and always strived to foster good relations between police officers and the community.

Customarily, there would have been a banquet to honor Mariano prior to his retirement, but due to the safety regulations enacted under the State of Emergency to combat COVID-19, this is unlikely to happen.

The announcement of the retirement of DCP Mariano was made by Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, who said that the position Mariano vacated has been taken up by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Deseree Magdaleno, and that she will likely be promoted to the post of Deputy Commissioner of Police.

ACP Magdaleno would not be the first woman to be elevated to such a high rank in the department, because DCP Maureen Leslie held that rank for years until her retirement.
ACP Magdaleno is a veteran officer of over 35 years and comes to the position well-qualified. She was declared Woman of the Year 2014, and she attended many courses locally and overseas to prepare her for her work.

ACP Magdaleno also held many positions of command, including Commanding Officer of Belize District or Eastern Division, and Commander of Community Policing Nationally.

Feature photo: (l-r) (DCP) Robert Mariano and (ACP) Deseree Magdaleno