Dozens of Belizean police officers are experiencing significant financial hardship due to unresolved payment delays spanning several months to years. Investigations reveal approximately two dozen officers who underwent transfers or promotions continue awaiting essential financial entitlements, including transfer grants, housing allowances, and corresponding salary adjustments.
One particularly concerning case involves an officer promoted and relocated to Belize City over twelve months ago who has yet to receive any form of increased compensation. This situation persists despite accumulating costs associated with working substantial distances from their original residence. Another officer transferred from Belmopan to Belize City has endured nearly two years of financial uncertainty, undertaking daily commutes without receiving the officially promised allocations.
When confronted regarding these delays, Ministry of Home Affairs Chief Executive Officer Rear Admiral Elton Bennett stated he lacked awareness of the payment issues but emphasized that no policy changes had occurred regarding entitlement distributions. Bennett reaffirmed that all officers would ultimately receive their legally mandated compensations.
National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) President Ella Waight has publicly offered institutional support, urging affected officers to seek union assistance. Waight clarified that NTUCB representation extends beyond unionized workers to all Belizean laborers, while simultaneously encouraging direct engagement with the Public Service Union. The union leader characterized the prolonged delays as unacceptable in modern administrative contexts and pledged organizational intervention should the situation reflect retaliatory motives.