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ASP Michael Gutierrez
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Wouldn't it be great if we all lived
in a place like Shangrila, where everything is peaceful and perfect?
Though not in this imaginary place, we are fortunate to live in San Pedro
which has been described as a piece of paradise. Unfortunately San Pedro
Town, like the rest of the world, is not exempt from crime, although we
are lucky that its rate is limited. Much credit should be given to the
San Pedro Police Department which has managed to maintain this low
crime-rate in La Isla Bonita. The person responsible for the overall
supervision of these hard working men and women is Assistant
Superintendent of Police Michael Gutierrez.
Michael Gutierrez was born in Dangriga Town and
attended Holy Ghost Primary School and Stann Creek Ecumenical High
School. He successfully passed five subject exams from the University of
Cambridge and was accepted for a tertiary level program at St. John's
College in Belize City. Because of financial limitations though, he was
unable to further his education. After many conversations with a close
friend of his, he opted to travel to Orange Walk where he became a
teacher for the San Estevan Roman Catholic School. Shortly after, he
decided to return to Dangriga where he eventually interviewed to become a
police officer and was accepted. On November
12th, 1976 he
commenced training at the Police Training School in Ladyville. Upon
completion of the required training he was posted to the Patrol Branch in
Belize City where he remained until February 1978. He was then
transferred to Corozal Town where he did some investigative work and was
involved in the resolution of several major cases. Subsequently he was
posted to the Santa Elena Border Station performing immigration duties.
In 1980, PC Gutierrez resigned from the force to
become an accounts clerk at the Tower Hill Sugar Factory. Even after his
resignation, policing remained in Gutierrez's heart, having spent most of
his youth in this profession. He would frequent the Orange Walk and
Corozal Police Stations where he had made very good friends. He ate,
drank and slept police work and finally became disenchanted with his job
at the Sugar Factory.
In 1981, he re-enlisted in the department and was once
again posted in Corozal Town. As time went on he completed an evaluation
course in Belmopan and did exceptionally well. Consequently he was
assigned to the Special Unit Branch where he remained until 1997. During
this time in 1983, he sat the promotional exam for Corporal, was ranked
first in the entire country and was promoted to Corporal in 1985. His
loyalty to the force and exceptional work soon earned him additional
promotions: to Sergeant in 1989; to Assistant Inspector in 1993; to
Inspector in 1994 and to Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1996. One
year later, he was posted to the Ministry of National Security as Police
Advisor to the Ministry. Later that same year, he was transferred to San
Pedro as Officer-in-Charge where he remained until 1998. During his time
in San Pedro, ASP Gutierrez was instrumental in reducing the crime on the
island to a maximum low. Unfortunately for San Pedro he was transferred
to Belize City and then to Corozal as Second Officer-in-Charge of the
Corozal District. In November of 1999, he was posted to the Intermediate
Southern Formation Headquarters in Independence as the Commanding
Officer-in-Charge. Throughout, he has done extensive training in police
operations and administration in the United States, United Kingdom and
the Caribbean.
In December of 1999, the Commissioner of Police gave
ASP Gutierrez the option to return to San Pedro. This offer was a request
from the community and, after checking on the situation of the town, he
decided to accept the offer. ASP Gutierrez told the San
Pedro Sun, "Policing and law enforcement runs in my
veins since I have two older brothers who were also police officers. I
have always dreamt of being a Police Officer and eventually a Senior
Officer. My advice to the young people of this town is to strive for what
they want and to work extremely hard towards the attainment of that goal
or objective. I must say that I welcomed the opportunity to be able to
come back to this community and provide the best of service where
policing is concerned. It gives me the chance to reunite with my old
acquaintances and make new friends.
ASP Gutierrez believes in the principle that whatever
you put yourself into doing must always be done to the best of your
ability without fear or favor. What makes him a unique person as well as
a unique Officer is his pleasant personality and public relations skills.
He has been impartial during his service and advocates that by hard work
and dedication one can achieve his/her goals despite detractions. ASP
Gutierrez has dedicated over 23 years of his life to public service and
stands firm in his commitment to protect, serve and ensure the safety of
"Our Community."
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