The rank and file of the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) has put out a welcome mat for their new chief, Richard Boyce, the last Commissioner of Police to wear the crown on his epaulettes a month before the constabulary changes its name under the new republic.
President of the Police Association of Barbados Mervin Grace said on Wednesday that members welcome the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with Boyce, currently an Assistant Commissioner who takes up his post on Monday.
“All I can say is congratulations to the new designee,” Grace told Barbados TODAY. “He is well-known to the force; most of the fellows know what his principles are. At this time all we can say is hearty congratulations on his upcoming appointment. And as usual we look forward to working with him and see how we can achieve more for the welfare of the force under his leadership.”
The Governor General, acting on the advice of the Protective Services Commission, on Wednesday approved the appointment for the promotion of the 42-year veteran police officer.
Boyce , 61, holds first-class honours degree in History and Management from the University of the West Indies and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom.
As Assistant Commissioner, Boyce holds operational responsibility for crime. He has been assigned to a range of specialist portfolios, including criminal investigations, Special Branch operations and a six-year stint at the Regional Police Training Centre.
During his career, he also provided consultancy services to the police forces of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda in 2002 and 2012, respectively.
A Government statement listed several training programmes Boyce has undergone: Senior Criminal Investigations conducted by the Kent County Constabulary UK; Advanced Criminal Investigations ICITAP (International Crime Investigative Training Assistance Programme); Caribbean Regional Advanced Drug Enforcement; Major Crime Investigative Techniques; Strategic Command Course – National Police College Jamaica, and a Police Executive and Leadership Management programme, conducted by Durham Constabulary, UK.
(EJ)
