THE BPYCC CONSTITUTION

Article I: Name

There shall be established within the Belize Police Department a Youth Corp, which shall be known as Belize Police Youth Cadet Corp (BPYCC).

Article II: Objectives

To assist young Belizeans as they prepare themselves to become productive and law abiding citizens.

Article III: General Provisions

The Belize Police Youth Cadet Corp shall be a non-discriminatory organization against sex, race, religion, or political beliefs.

Article IV: Managing Committee

(1) There shall be appointed a management committee comprising the following offices:

a. Coordinator b. President c. Vice President d. Treasurer e. Secretary f. Asst. Secretary g. Members

- appointed by the Commissioner - elected by committee members - elected by committee members - elected by committee members - elected by committee members - elected by committee members - maybe elected to serve on the committee

 (2) The managing committee will serve for two years period and maybe re-elected to serve on the committee for further periods in the same or other post as elected.

(3) Elections will be held in October of each election year and will be presided over by an independent officer appointed by the Commissioner of Police or Commanding Officer and scrutinized by a representative from the Police Ministry.

Article V: Finances

(1) The Commissioner of Police or Commanding Officer may authorize fund raising events on the recommendation of the managing committee through the coordinating officer.

(2) The Commissioner of Police may authorize the acceptance of donations of cash or kind for the use of the Belize Police Youth Cadet Corp.

(3) The Commissioner of Police or Commanding Officer may authorize the establishment of a bank account in the name of the Belize Police Youth Cadet Corp and authorize the committee to appoint signatories to said account.

(4) Signatories for the Belize Police Youth Cadet Corp account will be drawn from serving members of the managing committee with three signatures on the card; any two of the authorize three will sign before a transaction is completed.

(5) All cash transactions of the Belize Police Youth Cadet Corp will be discussed at a committee meeting and voted upon before such transactions are effectuated.

(6) Monthly accounting will be carried out and will be reported to the Commissioner and Commanding Officer through the managing committee in writing at the end of each month.

Article VI: Membership

Any child 8 to 11 years old, and any child younger than 18 years may become a Belize Police Youth Cadet Corp Member. But first he or she must learn and promise to follow the Corp’s Code and Regulations.

1.  Each member completes an application form, submits 2 passport size photographs and pays a registration fee of $5.00 to cover I.D. card lamination and application processing.

2.  Recruitment will now be limited to the months of February and November of each year. Re-registration is carried out every three (3) years.

3.  Absenteeism: - After 4 consecutive absences from meetings without due cause or excuse, a Corp’s Member is expected to stand before a Tribunal.

4.  Honorary Membership in the Belize Police Youth Cadet Corp will be extended to male and female Belizeans after attaining the age of 18 years.

Article 7: Uniform

Uniform shall be of a colour and design as regulated by the Commissioner of Police with the approval of the Minister for Police.

Article 8: Meetings

Corp’s meetings will be held at a designated location twice weekly or as approved by the Managing Committee with the consent of the Commissioner or Commanding Officer.

The Corp’s meet each Friday and Saturday for instruction in woodcraft, first aid, sports, Belizean history, citizenship, camp preparation, etc.

Article 9: Discipline

The spirit of the code governing discipline within the Belize Police Youth Cadet Corp will was drafted as close as possible to that of the Belize Police Department Disciplinary Code, as laid out in Chapter 109, section 24 of the Laws of Belize.

Article X: Disqualification

(1) Any member of the Belize Police Youth Cadet Corp maybe suspended or expelled from the Corp if he or she in the opinion of the Commissioner or Commanding Officer, on sufficient cause being shown, has ceased to be a useful member by conduct or otherwise.

(2) The managing committee may make a representation for any member to become an honorary member after attaining the age of 18.

Article X: Other Roles

Training in the elementary principles of policing maybe given to members of the Belize Police Youth Cadet Corp, and such members maybe allowed to assist the Police in secondary duties, in supporting capacities only.

Article XI: Constitutional Amendments

Subject to the expectation of the Belize Police Youth Cadet Corp, the managing committee in its annual general meeting or a special meeting may amend this constitution to meet changes. Such amendments maybe ratified by the Commissioner of Police, the Commanding Officer or a committee appointed to review such amendment.