THE UPSURGE IN serious crimes in Barbados would have left many people uneasy, but we have been encouraged by the speed at which the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) has solved most of them. However, there are no grounds for complacency, and the force must constantly bring to bear the best responses to an always changing situation.
Given Barbados’ size, some argue that it should not be difficult to solve crimes, but that has never been the reality. It often comes down to the trust between the police and the community, whose tips point the way. And while there is never any certainty when some lawless act will take place, the public must work with law enforcement in this country to minimise crime.
Our police officers must be open, transparent and accountable to the community and should welcome feedback from citizens. They must hear how the public rates the RBPF’s service delivery, crime reduction and policing priorities. They must listen to and act on complaints from frustrated people and not dismiss them as the voices of wrongdoers. Police personnel, after all, are not just suppressors of crime but must take on roles for which the required skills and knowledge cannot be gained only from walking the beat or reading the police manual.
The police will never stop all criminality, and the illegal drugs trade is an example. But they must do better at preventing and even controlling society’s scourge. This is why the police must seek partnerships with our educators; probation, justice and social services; civil society; and the business community while looking for meaningful solutions.
Among the solutions must be a rewards system that honours and gives commendation to those outstanding officers whose commitment is never reflected in their pay packets. So even with limited resources, new approaches to rewards must be instituted. Emphasising quality continuous training and instituting a mandatory health and wellness programme are two such ways.
It is evident that research and not tradition nor hearsay must drive training, which must also go beyond mere certification. This means our law enforcement officers must mix the classroom and the technology with real-life scenario sessions in diverse programmes. The RPBF’s men and women must become adept at writing reports and understanding case law, and how to effectively deal with a more sophisticated criminal. Personnel of all ranks must also be able to master communications skills, understanding the difference between giving a command and offering reassurance.
Ensuring the health and welfare of all members of the police service is a priority. That is why they must undergo compulsory annual comprehensive medicals – paid for by the RBPF; have access to adequate insurance coverage and be counselled after gruelling ordeals.
Again, we repeat that they should not have to give the same length of service as regular public officers to be able to retire with full benefits. The men and women of the RBPF put Barbados first every day.