Chester Williams Juggles Dual Roles Amid Transition Delays

For the remainder of the month, Chester Williams will be juggling dual roles as the outgoing Commissioner of Police and the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Constitution and Religious Affairs, Indigenous Affairs, and Transportation. His transition has been marked by delays and confusion as well as pressure from the Ministry of Home Affairs to expedite his leave. However, despite the challenges, Williams is now overseeing both areas, at least temporarily. Reporter Vejea Alvarez tells us more. 

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: For the next three weeks career public officer Chester Williams will be playing hopscotch between his roles as outgoing Commissioner of Police and Government CEO. That’s because Williams is currently functioning in a dual capacity as Compol and Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Constitution and Religious Affairs, Indigenous Affairs and Transportation. The transition from Commissioner to CEO has been anything but seamless and smooth. Firstly, his acceptance of the CEO position was delayed after Williams had taken some time to accept. When we first spoke to him on March 20, he was rather coy about his decision to move on.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “I have indeed been given an offer to take up a post as a CEO in a particular ministry. I am yet to respond to the offer, I should be giving a response to the Cabinet Secretary by the end of the day today. It’s just a few things that we need to work out and once those things are worked out then I certainly would be more than happy to move on.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: Four days later, Williams confirmed his departure but was unable to provide a timeline for his exit and stated that it relied on the finalization of an exit package. However, neither could Prime Minister John Briceño when he was asked about Williams’ elevation two days later on March 26.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “There has to be a transition period. Now, whether if it’s going to be one month or two months we’re still trying to work that out. He has done an extraordinary job in policing. I think it’s the most successful commission of police that we’ve had, certainly in modern history. But it’s time to move on.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: “The second hiccup came when CEO of Sharole Saldivar Carr wrote to Williams, essentially rushing him to leave the police department. The letter made it clear that he was merely a caretaker of the department and could no longer approve or deny transfers, promotions and the likes. However, Williams denied receiving such a letter when asked on March 31 and rejected he was being rushed to leave.  

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “I will only say that the CEO has no authority to write such letter. I’ve not seen it but if that is so she has no authority. My appointment comes from the Governor General and so only the Governor General can alter the terms of my authority as Commissioner of Police or the Prime Minister so that’s all I’m going to say in repeat of that. In terms of my timeline I have advised the cabinet secretary that I want to leave as quick as possible.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: “But it seems quick wasn’t quick enough for the Ministry of Home Affairs  because only two days later on April 2, Williams confirmed receiving the letter and informed the media that he would be taking up his position as CEO on Monday, April 7.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “The truth is I am not a person that likes adversities like that. Other adversities in terms of executing my duties and getting into conflict with persons who are not complying with the law or even with the media I could deal with that. But when it comes to having conflict within the workplace I don’t like that at all.  I was extremely unpleased with the letter and like you rightly said the CEO has not authority to have wrote the letter that she did. I had already explained to our minister Kareem what I intend to do before leaving. We discussed and we agreed on certain things and so I was surprised by the letter. None the less to be able to avoid any fighting, in house fighting, I decided that you know what it’s best that I pack up and leave and move over to my new area of responsibility.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: Shortly after, however, an official release came out indicating that the 30-day transition will take place and that the official handing over of Dr. Richard Rosado as the new Compol would take place on April 30. The release followed a meeting with Prime Minister Williams and Minister of Home Affairs, Musa, who had denied pushing Williams out.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs: “While it is that we would hope for a seamless smooth transition there are certain actions and certain decisions that can be made that can affect the department moving forward and so it’s just a reminder in terms of the transition you know it has cost implications for transfers, it has cost implications for promotions. Let us try to make the transition as smooth as possible because to necessarily the new commissioner of police woulda agreed to these transfers and so we have to make sure that we preserve the status quo as best as possible. It’s not pushing out at all, it’s elevating, graduating even to the next level of CEO.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: As recent as yesterday, in a meeting with senior officers, Williams asserted that he would be performing in a dual capacity. He stated that he would be handling his business as CEO and would still be handling the operational aspects of the department, while Dr. Rosado would handle the administrative portions. Love News also understands that Williams is currently on a countrywide tour of the police formations. Vejea Alvarez, Love News.

As the Chief Executive Officer, Williams will be working with Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh.