Police, BARJAM ‘pleased with meeting’

Senior officials of the Royal Barbados Police Force and executive members of the Barbados Association of Journalists and Media Workers have declared both sides are pleased with the outcome of a meeting today geared at improving relations.

Police Public Relations Officer Acting Inspector Rodney Inniss said: “I thought our meeting was very productive. We were frank in our discussions, and I believe we should have more regular and consistent meetings. We recognise that we have our shortcomings, and we recognise that we must improve on our customer service, and in fact, our training curriculum is now speaking to this matter.

“We recognise that the Press helps us to police this country because without the Press we could not get information out when we have wanted criminals or missing persons. Both of us provide a service to the public and we must work hand in hand with each other.”

President of BARJAM Emmanuel Joseph said he was “very encouraged” by the meeting. He said: “Both sides committed themselves to doing better where we need to and to improve on the areas in which we are already doing well. We are also pleased with the Police Commissioner’s commitment to filter our concerns down to the rank and file officers regarding their inter-relationship with and their attitude towards media workers, and we have also committed to respecting the police as they carry out their duties.

“We were also glad that media managers, those who send reporters and photographers out on assignments where they may encounter police, were present at the meeting, and this can only augur well for the future relationship between the police and the media.”

The meeting came about after police officers barred journalists from carrying out their duties when they went to the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court two weeks ago to cover the first court appearance of the man accused of murdering Nation photographer Christoff Griffith and A and B Pest Control contractor Glenroy James.

The two were killed at the derelict former residence of the Anglican Bishop at Bishop’s Court Hill in St Michael.