“For I am a man set under authority with soldiers under me and I say to one ‘go’ and he goes, and to another ‘come’ and he comes and to my slave “do this” and he does it.” – Luke 7:8
IT SEEMS THESE days in Barbados that people and organisations are not prepared to obey rules or to follow the instructions.
There is a debate pertaining to two organisations – the Royal Barbados Police Force and the Barbados Prison Service at Dodds.
As far as I am concerned there should not be an issue about hairstyles and the kind of relationships between prison officers and former inmates. These are two disciplined organisations and there should not be any dispute.
I am sure that both organisations have rules. The Police Force’s policy on general appearance of officers came into effect from January 1, 2015, and replaces all other existing policies and memoranda. I see nothing wrong with the hair policy, especially for females.
The officers have rights, but not as she or he feels like. While on the job the officer has to conform to the rules, but when off the job and off duty he or she can do as they please. These are the same officers that will expect the public to obey them.
As for the Prison Service, there are rules and officers have to obey them as they are outlined in their handbook.
The rules are clear. Prison officers must not associate with ex-prisoners or their family members. Where is the pride of those female officers? Female prison officers should not work in the male section of the prison at Dodds.
On behalf of the public, I must ask: Were those officers given a copy of the rules? And, secondly, do they understand how serious those rules are? Or are they bent on disobeying them?
To the prison chief Lt. Col. John Nurse and Acting Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith, you are right in upholding the rules of those organisations. And if officers have problems with them, then they are free to leave the organisation.
Nine Lessons And Carols
The Belle Cantata Choir will be performing Nine Lessons And Carols at St Cyprian’s Church on December 20 at 6 p.m.
Christmas Novena
There will be Christmas Novena observances at St Cyprian’s Church from December 16 to 24, starting at 7 a.m. daily.
New rectors
Reverend Peter Boxill will be instituted as rector of St Jude’s tomorrow.
Reverend Canon Coleridge Darlington will be instituted as rector of St Thomas on January 9, 2016. Both services will be at 4 p.m.
Installation
The installation service for Pastor Delroy Burley as pastor of Bethlehem Moravian Church will be held on Sunday at 4 p.m. at Bethlehem Moravian, Maxwell Gardens, Christ Church.
Choir festival
The Fulnec Moravian Church Choir, under the direction of organist Matthew Morris, will be staging a choir festival and Christmas jolly on December 20, at 4 p.m. at the Fulnec Moravian Church, Watts Village, St George.
Musical concert
The St Swithun’s Anglican Church will be holding a musical concert on Sunday at 4 p.m.
What Child Is This?
The Myriad Singers will hold a concert What Child Is This? at the Frank Collymore Hall on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Celebrating 180 years
St Philip’s Parish Church continues its 180th anniversary celebrations with Carolling In The Village tomorrow on the hard courts next to the church in St Philip at 4 p.m. with performances by church choirs and individuals.
On December 20 at 6 p.m., Christmas At St Philip will feature the Barbados Defence Force Band, G-Syndicate and the church’s choir.
Christmas glory
The choir of St Christopher’s Anglican Church presents The Glory Of God evening of Christmas music on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Christingle service
St Christopher’s Anglican Church Sunday School will be holding a Christingle service on December 20 at 4 p.m.
Festival of nine lessons
A festival of Nine Lessons And Carols will be held by St Michael’s Cathedral Choir with organist and choirmaster John Bryan at St Michael’s Cathedral on Thursday at 8 p.m.
St Luke’s stalwart
It was with regret that we learnt of the death of Isoline Greenidge of St Luke’s Church, who was buried last Friday.
She was a faithful member of the church where she served as an usher and a member of the Women’s Fellowship. Isoline was a great fan of Voice Of Barbados and a number of the station’s personnel paid tribute. This column expresses its sympathy to her family.
