The?Royal?Barbados Police Force (RBPF) has disbanded its beach patrol unit but police officials are reporting that the beaches will still be monitored by the police.
The WEEKEND?NATION understands that the unit which has been in operation for several years to prevent and investigate crime on the beaches, was formally disbanded yesterday by the hierarchy of the police force, as part of the cost saving measures being employed by the RBPF.
However public relations officer Inspector David Welch explained that the officers attached to the unit have been deployed to individual police stations and would continue to undertake beach patrols.
“These men have been sent to other stations to perform the same duties,”?Welch said, stressing that they would be doing “the same specific beach patrols but from different stations”.
He said the decision to do away with the beach patrol unit which previously operated from a single station and was headed by a senior police officer, was to ensure greater efficiency.
The unit usually patrolled the beaches from Rockley, Christ Church to Bay Street, the City.
“We find that there will be more strategic deployment of personnel and a more timely response by having them at police stations,”?Welch said adding that they will continue to have the support of island constables and beach rangers from the National Conservation Commission.
Welch also said that the Police/Defence Force beach patrols will continue in the Boarded Hall, District “C” and Oistins jurisdictions. (MB)
