PROPOSED CHANGES to the qualification for the post of Commissioner of Police seem to be eliminating the man who is currently acting in the post from being appointed.
Tyrone Griffith has been leading the force for the past three years, since former commissioner Darwin Dottin went on leave, and has seemingly impressed Barbadians with the way in which he has handled the job.
In response to a WEEKEND NATION article that the commissioner must now have a degree or completed a strategic command course, online readers came to Griffith’s defence, saying experience should not be discounted.
Indeed, they argued, he should be appointed and the new regulations put in place after his tenure.
Karenalisa: This is madness and downright insulting. If you can “act” in the position for a length of time, with no disasters, efficiently managing things, then appoint the person. Isn’t a normal job probation about three months? Should have been more effective in establishing and maintaining the rules long ago, seems to me. Please, at 62, let Mr Griffith finish out the time to retirement, then enforce the rules for whoever comes in next.
Simon Templar: Agreed. But let’s go back a bit further. If he doesn’t have the qualifications to be appointed, why was he put in the position to act in the first place? Are requirements to act different from requirements to be appointed? Was he just meant to be a stopgap and all the while they had someone else in mind?
Nigel D: A degree in what? Or, would any degree do? Does a degree in geography make a good commissioner of police? How about the many years of experience? Does the law degree so apparently cherished by RBPF make for a better commissioner? If it is our intention to change the rules and start afresh, that does not concern Mr Griffith’s tenure.
Andy R. Boyce: A lot of them old police inspectors and superintendents out in the cold. None ain’t getting that li’l pick now. You all get cut off like how the female officers had to cut them locks.
Michele Antoinette: It’s heartbreaking for a lot of old schoolers but I agree that some of these critical areas need new and fresh eyes and ideas, minus the politics, of course.
Ziggy Blessed: If wunna see Barbados become like Jamaica and the police don’t care, well wunna know who to blame. Seems the Government wants certified instead of “qualified”. Go figure!
Dale Black: Correct me if I’m wrong, isn’t this current commissioner among one of the most successful ones to lead the force, at least on crime fighting? Anyway, waiting to see this particular li’l piece of political drama play out.
Sydonette Dennie: What one needs to establish here is that the art of policing is a separate discipline from other disciplines. A hard-core police officer is one who knows the discipline and its application which comes with experience and on-the-job application. Having other academic degrees are merely complements and one need not shift the focus of hard-core policing to these complementaries.
E Jerome Davis: I agree with the new bar. However, they could introduce it after Griffith’s term.
Richard Rich: The Government is just creating an alibi for their favoured pick.
• Sherrylyn Toppin is The Nation’s Online Editor.
