Barbados still boasts of the best crimefighters inthe region.
That is the view of the island’s top cop,Tyrone Griffith. who has revealed that the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) continues to solve murders better than any other country in the Caribbean.
“All of you know that these are very troubling times and everyone should be aware that the region is plagued with an increase in violent crime being spurred on by the drug culture and the illicit trade of firearms.
“I want to say, though, that with the support of the Barbados Police Association and its members we have been able to hold our own in terms of fighting this crime. We have been able to manage crime well and if you look around the region, you will see that no force in the region has been able to do quite as well as the RBPF in terms of addressing the whole crime situation, especially as it relates to violent crimes,” the Commissioner of Police Griffith said while speaking at the association’s annual general meeting yesterday at the District “A” Police Station.
He pointed out that while Grenada usually had one of the lowest incidences of crime, especially as it related to murders, the Spice Isle at this time has a higher murder rate per 100 000 than Barbados.
He said Grenada with a population of 110 000 had recorded 12 murders so far for the year.
With a population of almost 300 000, Barbados has recorded 28 murders for 2017.
“There is no Caribbean country at this particular juncture that has a lower murder rate than Barbados per 100 000,” Griffith insisted.
“So we have had our spikes, but we have been able to manage our murders effectively, with the support of the rank and file and so I will want to give them kudos for the contributions they have made.”
The Commissioner said this was particularly impressive, as the force continues to deal with a shortage of over 200 officers.
And with the Christmas season and next year’s general elections looming, Griffith said officers could not ease up.
“Each year we find ourselves having to deal with more and more important matters. We’re still at this point going into Independence celebrations and we have to work towards the Yuletide season. And I am sure already that you would have recognised that there is in the air general elections and so there really is no let-up in relation to the work and the demands of the police,” he said. (RB)
