In the tropical nation of Belize, the Ministry of Transport has found itself at the center of growing scrutiny over the appointment of former law enforcement officials to senior positions within the department. Just weeks after questions first emerged about one ex-police officer tapped for a high-ranking role, public and media attention has shifted to a second former police member already holding a key post at the ministry.
That second official is Dervin Sambula, a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who currently serves as the Ministry of Transport’s in-house legal counsel. Sambula became a well-known public figure earlier in 2026, when he took a leading role in high-stakes negotiations between the ministry and the Belize Bus Association, bringing his background in law enforcement and legal training to the table during tense talks.
When reporters directly asked Ministry of Transport Chief Executive Officer Chester Williams on July 17, 2026 whether Sambula was Williams’ personal pick for the legal counsel role, the CEO quickly pushed back on any claims of favoritism, making clear he had no involvement in the hiring decision. Williams went on to highlight that Sambula brings a unique, valuable skill set to the ministry, drawing from decades of service in the Belize Police Department that culminated in his promotion to Assistant Superintendent. Before joining the transport ministry, Sambula also served as a legal advisor within the police force, combining his hands-on law enforcement experience with formal legal training that has strengthened the ministry’s work.
“Of course, Mr. Sambula comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience, having served in the police department for many years, rose to the rank of Assistant Superintendent,” Williams told reporters. “He was the legal advisor at the police as well and his years of experience as police and his legal training is something that really compliments us at the ministry and the Department of Transport. We are grateful to have him as part of our staff. He is always active, out there with the officers. He is not a person that stays in the office. He is out there making sure he provides legal guidance as they perform their duties.”
When pressed for details on why Sambula was selected for the role over other applicants, Williams reiterated the separation of hiring authority for legal positions across government agencies. “He applied, and let me make it clear, I did not choose him,” Williams explained. “Mr. Sambula was chosen by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission. He is a legal officer. It is not the CEO that decides who is a legal officer of any ministry. That goes to the JLSC after applying and they decide if they hire that person and where to put that person.”
The conversation with reporters also touched on a separate hiring question: the appointment of Williams’ brother to a staff position at the ministry’s headquarters. Williams responded that the hiring occurred far in the past, noting that his brother applied for the opening, met all qualifications for the role of registering clerk, and that the position is a low-wage, entry-level post with no decision-making authority.
Beyond clarifying the hiring process, Williams confirmed that Sambula has consistently exceeded performance expectations in his role as legal counsel, praising his proactive approach to supporting ministry staff in their daily duties. This report is adapted from a transcript of an original evening television news broadcast, originally published online on July 17, 2026.