With eight murders less than a month into 2019, five involving the use of firearms, Deputy Police Commissioner Erwin Boyce is telling Barbadians the numbers, though worrying, do not paint the full picture.
Boyce explained that while the numbers racked up so early in the year were indeed staggering, they must be analysed in context.
“This is something from the police force’s perspective that we would not have anticipated at the beginning of the year. The level of consistency is extremely worrying. However, we must put it in context because it is only then we understand what is happening. What we are seeing in these cases is a victim-offender knowledge of each other. So, therefore, these cases could have genesis elsewhere to where the shooting actually occurred,” explained Boyce, who was
speaking to reporters following the closing ceremony for the online child exploitation investigations training course at the Regional Police Training Centre, Seawell, Christ Church today.
To date, Barbados has recorded eight murders, which puts the murder rate at 2.8 per 100 thousand, while Trinidad, which has recorded 32 murders thus far, has a rate of 2.3 per 100 thousand. Last year, Trinidad and Tobago recorded 516 murders, which represented a rate per 100 thousand that was five times more than Barbados, which recorded 28 murders for the same period.
Responding to calls for police to take more of a big stick approach to Barbados’ gun crime situation, Boyce explained that law enforcement has always operated within the parameters of the constitution of Barbados and this current wave of violence was not about to force a deviation from that practice.
“We are a law enforcement organization guided by the constitution of the land. We have boundaries, we have general standing orders, we are an accredited force and we know what direction to go and how far to go in relation to how we do our operations and how we respond to situations. So, we will always demonstrate the best way to do things. This way will ensure that John Public has the confidence in the organisation and that there is a peace of mind and less anxiety as it relates to these crimes,” the high-ranking lawman said.
However, the deputy commissioner made it clear that while fear was a natural response to the spike in these types of crimes, the police were on top of the situation.
“We know that there would be alarm, there would be anxieties and some peace of mind disruption. But we want to assure Barbados that operationally, the Royal Barbados Police Force and its partners are working towards ensuring that the peace of mind returns and there is less anxiety as it relates to that type of crime,” he said.
Without going into detail, Boyce explained that the force has a number of strategies – short, medium and long-term on which they are working. “Once we get the full corporation of all of our partners then we are going to have a much more peaceful society,” Boyce added.
I agree with Mr Boyce there are boundaries within the law and ad much as people crying out to do this and that not his words but mind they will still feel they wicked and shouldn’t do that we just have to trust them and give them our support that they will get the job done
“Responding to calls for police to take more of a big stick approach to Barbados’ gun crime situation, Boyce explained that law enforcement has always operated within the parameters of the constitution of Barbados and this current wave of violence was not about to force a deviation from that practice.’
Sounds like a cop out to me ,and certainly is of no comfort to the law abiding citizens out here, many of whom are at the point of becoming hysterical.
A drastic situation calls for drastic measures,Not operating outside the law,by any means, but by making representation to the lawmakers to amend the legislation,which ties your hand , as necessary. The criminals out there seem to have the advantage by not playing the game with a referee or rule book.
More talk. How can people not be fearful when there are almost daily violent deaths? Now it appears that the latest excuse for ineffectiveness is the constitution. Do we need amendments for the RBPF and other agencies to stop the illegal importation of guns? No. Do we need amendments for the RBPF to hire and train new officers? No. Do we need the RBPF and other agencies to cultivate snitches? No. So go and do your job and stop hiding behind the constitution.
If what you are doing is failing and there is a chaotic situation, there has to be a declaration that can be made to relax the limitations on law I for employment so that they can bring order back to the country.
We can not have this kind of mayhem and the police telling us to relax because everything is under control. We are not little children waiting to If what you are doing is failing and there is a chaotic situation, there has to be a declaration that can be made to relax the limitations on law I for employment so that they can bring order back to the country.
We can not have this kind of mayhem and the police telling us to relax because everything is under control. We are not little children waiting to be pacified by daddy. We want to know what you are doing to correct this and I am sure the public is willing to allow temporary loss of some liberties to get back to a safe society.
The AG needs to declare some type of emergency, in troubled areas, and get these guns out of these young men’s hands before this gets worst. It will NOT get better on its own. Maybe the defense force can do the job if the police can’t operate in that role. But this can not continue without many staying away or leaving the country to somewhere where they feel safe. This could hurt Barbados in a way that could take a long time to recover if it is not seriously address. I still don’t see that there is any urgency in this statement by the police. I really don’t care to here anymore reassuring press briefing from this guy. He is annoying.
Stfu. Y’all need to start killing the criminals, or soon the criminals will start killing y’all, ignorant person.
Police doing a good job.
ERWIN BOYCE sounds like his other moron partner chief who made a similar asinine comment a couple of years ago by saying that :
” CRIME IS DOWN BUT MURDERS ARE UP ”
Erwin Boyce . . . . .meet the new boss , same as the old boss.
Interesting article. The police better wake up. Mr Boyce said the police have parameters point taken but Mr Boyce the gansters that shooting up the place doesn’t have any. So who you think will triumph in this war on crime. Mr officer you force have to turn up the heat and really high or your efforts will be in vain. There is no other forget parameters this is a war.
Orville Durant – in my opinion- would have had a handle on this situation by now. He was a creating and skillful Police Commissioner.
Years ago, when the Dr.Rats and the Buddy Brathwaite’s existed, and shots were fired at the police, those really bad criminals faced the fire power of the RBPF. The criminals never won, nor survived.
When accused murderers can be released on bail, and walking the streets with ease, among decent law abiding citizens, what good is boasting of an educated society and people.
Where do we draw the lines??? In cricket, the bowler steps over the crease and its a no ball, the batsman is caught with back foot before the crease, he gone through the edoes. In Barbados, people like Lord Evil and other accused murderers, can walk the streets freely, drug kings and their guards can move around like the Governor General, no problem. And Barbados is only 166 square miles you know. Unbelievable. Brothers and sisters, it is time to crack down on the criminals in this country regardless of political parties, ages, races and or professions. Crime will only destroy us all.
I agree with you Mr. Commish. These people that want Barbados` police to operate outside of the law don` know any better, I believe the problem is with the law Courts, the Judges and the Magistrates are too soft and lenient on sentencing. Bring back the Gallows, Amnesty Int. int working. Belfast and others ever heard these words; “He or she that would give up their freedom for a little temporary safety deserves none”. What I mean here is that you don`t want the police to do what the DEMS put on the table, to deny citizens their freedom of movement and call that safety.
Come on fellas go take a cold shower and cool the soft balls,stop getting you boxers in a twist.Let us all stand still and wait something got to give sooner rather than later.Don’t exspect the RBPF,the PM or AG to tell the nation what their plan of action is going to be as it would defeat the object of the exercise.There has to be a plan if not they all plan to fail us,so it’s action we want not more talk.
They are doing their jobs but it all falls down because of the Constitution as it relates to murder manslaughter and gun crimes.
….and I AGREE WITH YOU..T.SEEMS…. and furthermore it IS CRIMINALS shooting at CRIMINALS…it is NOT CRIMINALS walking bout the place shooting and robbing people at RANDOM like what OCCURS in parts of the UNITED STATES where MASS KILLINGS are COMMON and CARRIED out by jungle minded white cattle.
Those CRIMINALS and GANG violence and people walking bout with guns here INTENSIFIED during the CROOKED DEMOCRATIC LABOR PARTY reign of ECONOMIC TERROR during 2008-2018 when the CRIMINALLY inclined saw that carrying to work a GUN in PARLIAMENT of all places and SHOWING OFF with it and NOTHING being done about it was NORMAL….now youngsters walking bout and SHOWING OFF with guns too.
Recently in London we see Police being given instructions to knock thugs off of their mopeds, if in the opinion of the police ,the rider was involved in the commission of a crime. And these instructions came from the Home Office. Fire must be fought with Fire.
Ok Deputy Comissioner get your points and understand them but a simple question myself and others have been asking.Since guns are not manufactured in Barbados and getting a gun license is damm hard who is bringing in the guns and drugs since it does not appear to be legal weapons that were stolen.Yes the block boys are using the weapons but these cats can’t even afford a snack box so how in the hell can they get weapons or drugs into Barbados they don’t have the financial resources nor connections to do so,so seriously Deputy Comissioner if RBPF not investigating that angel then all these speeches gine mean squat the problem is way bigger than block boys they just part of the problem.
He could have done without that statement but I suspect it came from a politcian.
JOHNNY CROW: I partially agree with you. BUT, I still think the RBPF is doing an excellent job. I have a lot of respect for the present deputy Commissioner of Police (Erwin Boyce). As he stated the police must still operate within the law. They cannot be seen an entity onto themselves.
JOHNNY CROW says:
Sound byte -1 : When accused murderers can be released on bail, and walking the streets with ease, among decent law abiding citizens, what good is boasting of an educated society and people.
Sound byte – 2: Brothers and sisters, it is time to crack down on the criminals in this country regardless of political parties, ages, races and or professions. Crime will only destroy us all.
Ossie Moore : Amen to that , very well said , no one could have said it better.
if the police take a Big Stick approach the same people calling for it will say that police oppressing the poor black man. They will accuse police of beating people for confessions and a whole lot of other nonsense. You can’t please Bajans! Everybody is an expert especially when they have no training in the area.
Leave the policing to the police!
Crime is crime whether it is committed against random victims, or persons with whom there are ongoing grudges. I guess Mr. Boyce is trying to say that the public should feel better knowing that the murders are happening within the gangs and drug dealing sub-culture, but all it takes is for an innocent person to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even in your own house a stray bullet could find you.
Crime is crime whether it is committed against random victims, or persons with whom there are ongoing grudges…..and NOBODY said not…but… everybody knows that when CRIMINALS start picking off people JUST SO…that will DEFINITELY be a cause for concern.
Mr. Boyce I agree with you 100% that the PUBLIC WILL feel better that those murders are happening within the gangs and drug dealing sub-culture .
The point IS…that it IS happening among those,so to speculate that it MIGHT happen to innocent persons in the wrong place at the wrong time and even then that is certainly not RANDOM KILLINGS means nothing since someone else can also speculate that it might NOT happen.
Until we cross that bridge ,deal with the present.