Barbados has recorded a one-third drop – 34 per cent – in major crimes so far for the year, Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith announced today.
In a message reflecting on the Royal Barbados Police Force during the COVID-19 pandemic, Griffith praised officers’ dedicated and sustained efforts for the crime reduction.
The commissioner struck a philosophical tone as he suggested that history will one day record “when police officers were haunted by the same health concerns and psychological stressors as the general public, but were required to take a leading role in ensuring adherence to social distancing guidelines and enforcing curfew directives”.
He said it will also be remembered as a time when the administration of the force was challenged to find ways of balancing public safety concerns with law enforcement priorities, while the wearing of masks in public spaces remained a major health requirement.
Commissioner Griffith identified another challenge police officers have faced during the pandemic.
“When our police officers went on duty without the experience of dealing with a pandemic; and when priorities for security at business places shifted from observing patrons on the inside to sanitizing hands on the outside,” he said.
“I will hasten to add, however, that despite the steady decline of recorded COVID-19 cases in Barbados, it is certainly not the time for complacency. Persons should not be reckless and jeopardise their own safety or the safety of others,” the police chief suggested.
He said although the pandemic has created challenges for law enforcement, it has also provided an opportunity to realign priorities.
“We are committed to crime fighting and community policing strategies while making greater use of the technology that is available to us,” Griffith send.
In a message directed to his officers, he declared: “We must not lose sight of the challenges presented as we continue our work with strategic partners to create an environment where natives and visitors feel safe.”
He lavished praise on his law enforcers and civilian staff and well as non-governmental organizations who assisted the force.
“We are grateful to those non-governmental organizations who demonstrated their care and concern for us by contributing significantly towards the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sanitizing materials,” the commissioner said.
Griffith also cautioned members of the constabulary not to allow any form of negativity to override any opportunities for growth and development.
In his first remarks on the killing of an unarmed African-American man by a white police officer which transformed the Black Lives Matter protest into a global movement, Commissioner Griffith acknowledged that there are lessons which the force can learn from the issue of police brutality.
“There are always lessons to be learnt from the mistakes of others,” he said.
But, Griffith added: ”Our Use of Force Policy already addresses the many concerns raised. We shall continue to re-evaluate our policies and procedures to ensure that they are consistent with best practices for law enforcement while focusing on our training and retraining efforts.
“As we enter the second half of the year, I urge all of you to maintain good health and the highest possible levels of fitness.”
He also urged his men and women to hold each other’s hands if only virtually at this time, and work together to become better individuals and a more efficient police force.
Commissioner Griffith also encouraged officers to support the Government’s bonds-for-pay plan, the Barbados Optional Savings Scheme (BOSS).
“The opportunity to save/invest a small portion of one’s disposable income is an activity that ought to be encouraged, at the same time, taking each individual’s personal situation into consideration,” the police Commissioner declared.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
