Lawmen complete course to improve management skills

Twenty-two soon-to-be-promoted police officers from Barbados and other regional states are better equipped to execute their duties as leaders in their respective departments.

The lawmen completed a three-week International. Leadership and Management Course at Level 4, from the Regional Security System (RSS).

The subject areas of the course included leadership and management; leadership in policing; ethical decision making; situational leadership; conflict resolution; tackling organised criminality; management of intelligence; investigation plans; digital leadership and media management.

During a closing ceremony held at the RSS’ training institute at Paragon, Christ Church, featured speaker Justice Christopher Birch said that the training exercise was an important step in the officers’ professional development.

“The scope of your future duties will require you to master new skills and work towards coordination of efforts beyond your current domestic focus,” he told them.

“To add to your proven policing skills at the municipal level, you will find yourselves drawing on your regional partners and international agencies. You will find your need to know has not only expanded, but your professional tact, wisdom, and judgement will push you to be ever more discreet in your interactions with the public, the political directorate, and your governments.

“In exchange for that heavier burden, you will, if diligent, honest, and humble enough, enjoy a much enhanced professional reputation as one who gets things done, all the while maintaining adherence to professional and international best practices,” he added.

Justice Birch also told the officers that while they may soon be elevated, they must have regard for their colleagues.

“Work with your subordinates, develop their confidence in their core competencies, spot the talented and encourage them to exceed their academic and vocational aspirations. Even more importantly, give guidance to those under your command who don’t quite get it, and bring their performance levels to mutual satisfaction,” he advised.

The judge encouraged the officers to get acquainted with various technologies and utilise their creativity in planning procedures.

The officers involved in the training came from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St Vicent and the Grenadines. (SZB)