New Leadership Confronts Belize’s Security Challenges

One ministry, two major portfolios and a new minister stepping into one of government’s most demanding jobs. As the Ministry of National Security undergoes another leadership change, Chief Executive Officer Francis Usher is now overseeing both National Defense and Home Affairs. The expanded role brings added responsibility, but Usher says he is not walking into unfamiliar territory. He served as interim CEO for Home Affairs last year and believes the country’s security forces have the experience and systems needed to keep both portfolios running effectively. Usher also says newly appointed Minister Michel Chebat has wasted no time getting involved. According to the CEO, Chebat has taken a hands-on approach as the ministry confronts the challenges facing national defense, policing and public safety. Here’s more from Francis Usher.

Francis Usher, CEO, Ministry of National Security

“You will recall that late last year for about seven weeks You’ll recall that last year for about seven weeks, I was the acting CEO of home affairs as well while being the CEO of defense. So it’s not something new now that I’m the substantive CEO of both and that we’re all under the umbrella of national security. It is more work. It is something that we have to balance. But both or the three main organizations, the three main departments that fall under the Ministry of National Security, the BDF, the Coast Guard and the police department, they’re well-oiled machines. So we just have to ensure that we continue to follow the best practices. We continue to look at what has been working and improve on what’s not. Each department, each service has their service chief. So you have the commander of the BDF, the commandant of the Coast Guard, the commissioner of the police. Those are the big three, as I call them. I rely on them heavily for guidance. We work together to make decisions. We meet regularly. We talk multiple times throughout the day. We’re constantly in communication on what is happening, what needs to be done, and where we need to work together to do it. He’s very hands-on. He wants to be involved. Of course, he has a legal background. But also, he is very interested in knowing the root cause of things. And he brings perspective. I think, ultimately, we all bring different perspectives when it comes to what is happening in the national security realm and how we can best address it. By bouncing ideas off each other, by having a divergence of opinions, I believe that really helps you to get to the best possible outcome, the best possible solution to the issues being faced.”

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

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