Government is worried about a recent spate of shootings, but does not believe that “brute force” will solve the problem.
Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite made this point yesterday during a media briefing at Government Headquarters in Bay Street, St Michael.
Brathwaite, who has responsibility for the Police Force, said: “We recognise that there are some challenges in certain areas and we recognise that there are some challenges which are drug-related and which are probably turf-related.
“We realise that we’re going to have to intervene. The level of intervention will be determined based on the particular area but we just don’t want to go into areas with brute force.
“We want to go into areas offering solutions and that’s what we’re working on, because it’s no use running guys off the block and when you’ve gone they then just reform. We want to ensure that when we intervene that in fact it’s long-lasting.”
Brathwaite had a meeting with the High Command of the Royal Barbados Police Force Wednesday.
He had discussions with about 40 officers, including Commissioner Darwin Dottin and his deputy Bertie Hinds.
He said he had heard the talk about strained relations between Dottin and Hinds but did not walk away from the discussions “with a sense that there is any rift” between the two.
Brathwaite reported that he made the point in discussions with Dottin “that if one of us fails, we all fail”.
He added: “As professionals, I urged him to ensure that regardless of one’s personal disposition that in fact your professionalism as an officer [should be evident].”
