Our History 

The nation formerly known as British Honduras, now recognized as Belize, achieved independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981. Consequently, the law enforcement entity formerly referred to as the British Honduras Police Force was renamed the Belize Police Force. 

The British Honduras Constabulary Force, led by Captain D M Allen, recruited mainly Barbadian nationals on five-year contracts for service in British Honduras. By 1888, it had 175 officers stationed in Orange Walk, Corozal, and Belize City, under Mr. A E Kershaw's command. After Barbadian officers left, about 100 Jamaicans were enlisted. Mr. A B R Kay took over in 1893, and the Jamaican group disbanded and returned home in 1894. Mr. Kay managed units in Orange Walk and Corozal, while a Civil Police Force, headed by Mr. Sydney Gower Woods, was formed in Belize City, with Woods serving as Acting Superintendent voluntarily.

Douglas Dury Barnes took over from Mr. Woods in 1985, and upon Woods' death in 1905, Assistant Superintendent Robert Wyatt assumed control of the Force. In 1902, the separate Constabulary Force was abolished, adopting the name British Honduras Police Force. By 1920, under Mr. F J L Cavenaugh's leadership after World War I, returning soldiers from British Honduras joined the Force. Subsequently, the unified Police Force as we know it today was established, led by a series of expatriate officers holding the rank of Superintendent. In 1931, Superintendent Major J H SEMPILL lost his life while on duty during a devastating hurricane in Belize City.