After one of the toughest years for law enforcement in Barbados, Acting Commissioner
of Police Erwin Boyce expressed a special thank-you to members of the Barbados Police Service.
At the same time, he made an appeal for the public to help make the job of lawmen a little easier.
Speaking at a press conference at Police Headquarters, Roebuck Street, The City, recently, Boyce admitted that 2024 was one of the most challenging, especially as police were faced with an exponential increase in gun-related crime.
Fifty homicides – 49 murders and one manslaughter – were recorded, one of the highest counts in recent history, at a time when the level of crime in other areas decreased.
“Policing is not easy,” the acting commissioner stated. “There are some very difficult conversations that we have to get into from time to time, because at the forefront of what we’re doing is people. We want people to feel safe, less anxious about criminal activity and sometimes our conversation has to be difficult.”
He said officers went above and beyond the call of duty last year in many instances.
“I must commend the work of the organisation [as] 2024 was not an easy year for policing in Barbados. It required us developing indefatigable zeal and a commitment which was beyond the call of duty in most instances.
“I would like to say to the members of the service, they did well and made the sacrifices. They were there for you, the people of Barbados, and I want to commend them.”
Boyce noted that the Police Service would continue to evolve, especially in the face of the recent upsurge in gun-related violence.
“There are always persons of interest in every crime. Policing isn’t easy, it’s not static. We have to look at information, intelligence and shape our responses in how we manage the fear of crime. It’s not easy,” he reiterated.
He admitted that in Barbados today, there was a nation-wide fear of crime, and police had to take that into consideration.
“The strategies we develop are based on intelligence gathered. We want to encourage the public again, if you see something, say something. Share it with us.
“People who have guns have family members. Those who are close to and are a part of the family setting can be anonymous, and say to us do this or do that. It (communication with the public) has to be at that level to create confidence in the system.”
Boyce said the police had a steady relationship with the Customs Department and the Bridgetown Port as all partners tried to stem the importation of illegal firearms.
