Local News ‘We have the police’s backs’: AG hits back at opposition by Sheria Brathwaite 01/07/2025 written by Sheria Brathwaite Updated by Barbados Today 01/07/2025 3 min read A+A- Reset Attorney General Dale Marshall. (FP) Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 127 Attorney General Dale Marshall fiercely rejected opposition accusations that the government is neglecting police officers, as he outlined a raft of reforms and financial benefits for members of The Barbados Police Service, including back pay for some lawmen. In a statement issued on Monday, Marshall dismissed claims that the current administration had failed to support law enforcement officers, insisting that the government’s actions were rooted in “substance” rather than political theatre. “In recent days, the leader of the opposition has attempted to cast doubt on this government’s commitment to the brave men and women of The Barbados Police Service, but the facts do not support his position,” the attorney general stated. “Since taking office, this government has taken decisive action to improve the conditions of service for our officers, not with any bluster but with substance. We’ve invested in real improvements and not in rhetoric.” Marshall outlined several tangible steps taken to strengthen the force, pointing to the long-awaited creation of the senior constable rank—a development he described as a “concrete decision” rather than an empty promise. He said: “We created 300 new posts at salary scale P20 and adjusted the rank structure accordingly. While implementation took longer than we had originally intended due to the necessary alignment between the ranks of senior constable and sergeant, that matter has now been resolved.” The AG disclosed that a supplementary is being requested and back pay for eligible senior constables, dating from April 2024, is expected to be disbursed soon. You Might Be Interested In Crystal Beckles-Holder, 2nd runner up in regional competition GUYANA: Body of child found after gold mine collapses Barbadians asked to help with return tickets for Haitians On the issue of special constables, he said the government had already appointed all officers with three or more years of service. In addition, training for a further 60 special constables is set to begin later this week. “This is how you strengthen the service,” Marshall said. Among the initiatives highlighted was the introduction of a criminal investigation allowance designed to reward officers engaged in high-pressure investigative roles. This includes members of the detective and special branch. “The net effect is a minimum gain of more than $1 500 per month for officers, depending on the rank,” he noted. “That is real money earned by real service going to those who protect and serve under pressure.” Marshall also pointed to the recently tabled Public Officers Loan and Travelling Allowance Regulations in Parliament. This enables sergeants, station sergeants and detectives to access interest-free car loans—an initiative he described as not just necessary for mobility, but “because their lives deserve fairness”. He reiterated the government’s action to improve the wages of island constables, raising their hourly rate from $8.50 to $9.25 in 2021, with a retroactive increase to $10.50 per hour effective June 1, 2025. These wage adjustments, Marshall added, come on top of three rounds of public sector salary increases: five per cent in 2018, followed by three per cent increases in both 2022 and 2023. Marshall urged the opposition to refrain from politicising law enforcement, especially at a time when the public expects calm and leadership. “This is not the time for distractions and certainly not for the opposition figures to be hosting interviews and fanning flames while the nation is calling for calm and clear-headedness,” he said. “This is not a game and we will not participate in any tit-for-tat. The Government of Barbados will remain focused on facts, focused on service, and focused on ensuring that the bond between citizens and police continues to grow.” He continued: “We will work with all persons of goodwill to be the bridge, ensuring open communication, mutual respect, and a shared responsibility for the safety of our country. We believe in our police officers. We will continue to work well with the police association as we have done. We have their backs and we ask every Barbadian to stand with us because building a safer Barbados is a duty that belongs to us all.” (SZB) Sheria Brathwaite You may also like Educators called upon to lead change 10/07/2025 The Reunion to spotlight new artistes 10/07/2025 Farmers are on the edge 10/07/2025