Many things can be said about Deputy Commissioner Maureen Leslie. She has risen through the ranks of the Department to become the first female Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) n Belize. Her many academic achievements and meritorious awards, her extensive expertise and service to community, most of all her outstanding strength of character, her fierce determi-nation and tenacity to name a few of the qualities that makes DCP Leslie admirable.

It is not by chance that she is one of the most senior members of the Police Department today. The road to success has been paved with challenges for Deputy Commissioner Leslie.

In the year 1973 when she joined the Belize Police Force, women were primarily clerks and secretaries. Leslie said “As a woman it has been hard, but women have to know what they want. No one is going to give it to you or help you all the way. As women you have to push harder than men but if you push and push you will get there. There will be great sacrifices but it is all worthwhile.” Mrs. Leslie is also a single parent of five children an even greater challenge for her in answering the call to service. Mrs. Leslie recalls being transferred to other branches or districts with little notice and having to take her young children along. It was certainly not easy but she knew that if she was to excel she must face and overcome the challenges and obstacles that came her way... and that she did! With just about a year to retirement; DCP Leslie is unfazed and undaunted. She participates in key organizational policy decisions, is involved in the training of her subordinates, and is still the strong, principled, disciplined and determined woman that joined the Police Department over thirty ago. Ms. Leslie feels that the qualities of honesty, integrity, decency, respect for elders and for other people’s property; which she highly values are the qualities that guided her through life. DCP Leslie is a shining beacon and a sure example that hard work, dedication and discipline pays high dividends.