BELIZE CITY, Mon. Sept. 27, 2021– Last week, while being interviewed, the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, told local media that an increasing number of officers are being infected with COVID-19 amidst the third wave of the pandemic within the country.
He said that at least 100 officers are currently off duty for Covid-19-related reasons. Sixty of those officers tested positive for the virus, and another 40 officers are currently in quarantine due to possible exposure. Last Thursday, two police recruits tested positive for the virus, but according to Williams, they have not been at the academy since last week.
During the interview, Commissioner Williams stressed the importance of preventing confrontations between members of the public and police officers so that those officers can avoid unnecessary human interaction, which further spreads the virus — putting members of the Police Department and those persons in the public at risk.
At this time, according to COMPOL Williams, a majority of police officers have already begun the immunization process, with over 90% of the force being vaccinated. He said that while he does not foresee 100% vaccination within the department by October 1, when the regulation which mandates proof of vaccination or testing to enter public building comes into effect, he does not foresee any resistance on the part of any of his officers at that time.