Amanda,
Thank you for (almost) agreeing with me. I don't know Sgt Wade but he sounds good. One of the things I was told by people I asked on thepolice/crime situation is that sometimes there are not enough police on duty to both man the police station AND go out to respond to the call.
If that is the case I would volunteer to help the police in any way they chose. Volunteering to help the police seems like a good way to increase the police presence without spending more money. It also seems like a natural way to monitor the police at the same time you are helping them.
There are two programs that are operated in Belize that employ the useage of volunteers. The COPS (citizens on patrol) system and the Special Constables program. COPS is monitored by the police and basically is as the name states, citizens on patrol. Citizens on Patrol are expected to call the police if they happen upon a crime in progress and are not expected to apprehend criminals. This is a good program that enables neighbours and concerned citizens to do something to assist their neighbourhood when they lack the number of police officers
necessary in order to handle a full patrol beat. The Special Constables program is more specialized and requires training in the laws of Belize and law enforcements, officers are sworn in and become police officers. They are often voluntary, however some communities pay special constables in order to add manpower to complement their police force. San Pedro often has paid Special Constables on duty. Even voluntary Special Constables are required to actively be on duty for a certain number of hours each month. They work under the command of the area police department and must report to duty if ordered to do so by the Officer in Command.