Gerald Lincoln Westby Esq., was born on 18th November 1955 in Punta Gorda, Toledo District to parents of humble means. From a very early age while most young boys would spend their evenings playing games or hanging out, Westby found himself pounding the pavement selling baked and fry foods to complement the family income. Despite the economic hardships he faced Westby did well in school and shortly after graduating from St. Peter Claver High school he migrated to Belize City in search of work. He recalls being so taken up with the hustle and bustle of city life that he would spend entire days just riding around the city taking in the excitement and unfamiliar scenery.

In the year 1974 he enlisted in the Police Special Force but his stay there was short lived as he found the rigors of confinement too much for his young, adventurous mind and hindered his ability to pursue a young budding relationship.

Westby recounts that although the conditions that he often found himself in were ripe for im to engage in destructive behavior he managed to stay mostly on the right path. This he accredits to the sound values instilled in him by both his mother and his role model his grandfather Charles Westby.

Westby returned to the Police Training School n 1975 and this time there was no turning back; particularly after the untimely death of his beloved mother; and now finding himself with the task of providing for his younger siblings. Westby says that the climb to the top was tough and the obstacles many but he felt that these factors only strengthened his resolve. His first promotion came in 1980 to the rank of Corporal and his first brush with seniority came in 1989 when he was bestowed the rank of Assistant Inspector of Police.

He continued to rise steadily through the ranks and on 19th March 2005 was appointed to the post of Commissioner of Police, the most senior rank in the Department. During his thirty-two years of service he was posted in all districts across the country in various capacities. But the posting he considered his favorite was Commander, Serious Crime Squad, (the then Anti-Narcotics Unit), a post which he held from 1990 to 1997.

Since taking over command of the Belize Police Department in 2005; Westby has been striving to create a department that works in unity towards a common goal and has sought to bring back the Espirit de Corp that he feels is an important part of the department’s holistic development. His main focus is on seeing the police and community working hand in hand and feels that he has made many positive strides in that direction. Westby says he believes in a style of management that duly rewards those deserving officers and equally punishes those who brings the department into disrepute. He feels that Confucius philosophy of leading by example has served him well. When asked what his most valuable possession is; Westby says “besides my family, I value highly my integrity. If there ever comes a time when I have to choose between my integrity and my job, as much as I love my job; I would choose my integrity. My personal motto in life, which was imparted to me by my grandfather and which still resounds in my mind is to never put your hat higher than you can reach it.”

For the remainder of his reign as Commissioner of Police Westby feels that it is important for him to focus on successive planning within the Department to ensure that young, upcoming officers are prepared and equipped with the necessary training, skills and wherewithal to take up the challenge of moving the department forward in the right direction.