Police Service strengthen bonds with communities during Family Fun Day

Fun times were had as members of the Barbados Police Service, their families, and members of the public gathered at the National Botanical Gardens, Waterford, St Michael on Sunday for a day dedicated to family, fun and friendship.

The Fun Day brought together divisions from across the organisation in a show of camaraderie, friendly competition and community engagement, with activities ranging from sack races and tug-of-war contests to dominoes, karaoke and dodgeball.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who attended the event, said the Family Fun Day highlighted the broader role of policing beyond law enforcement.

She said police officers and their families are deeply connected to the communities they serve, with events like the Family Fun Day helping to strengthen those bonds.

Children enjoying the kids zone at the Fun Day. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)

“The members of the Barbados Police Service do not come from anywhere else but Barbados. It means that they are parts of the community, it means their families are part of the community and no matter how hard you work with the law enforcement posture, it is important to find a space where their families and their colleagues can come together in wholesome activity as we can see; playing sports, having a lot of fun,” Mottley said.

She also praised the leadership of the Police Service for creating an opportunity for officers and their families to spend time together outside of their demanding duties.

“The President is here, a number of us are here, and this is really just to tell them that we care, we thank them, we love them, and that we understand the sacrifice that they’re making with their families. 

“And that’s why this event, I want to salute the police, the leadership of the police, for having the wisdom to be able to find a place where their officers along with their families can come together as one,” Mottley said.

Inspector Ryan Brathwaite said the event reflected the organisation’s commitment to strengthening relationships both within the service and with the public.

“Today, the Barbados Police Service presents family, fun, and friendship. It’s about community engagement. It’s about bringing your family and bringing your friends. That’s what we are about; serving, protecting, and reassuring, but also having friendship among those people who we serve,” Brathwaite said.

He explained that every division of the service was represented at the event.

Speaking on the importance of maintaining connections with the public, he said the response to the initiative had been encouraging.

“The feedback has been excellent. You know, there’s nothing greater than communication. I believe that man’s greatest asset is his tongue, that ability to communicate, and when you can speak to people and relate to people, people appreciate that a lot more,” Brathwaite said.

While acknowledging the challenges faced by law enforcement officers, Brathwaite said Barbadians continued to show support for the work of the police.

“People are very receptive to what we are doing and we’re thankful to the public for the way that they have reached out to us.

“I think that people appreciate what we’re doing. They understand how hard the job is… and they understand that we are here to serve. We are here to protect and we are here to reassure, and that’s our mantra,” Brathwaite said.

Among the highlights of the day was what Brathwaite jokingly described as the “race of the century”, a lime and spoon race featuring some of the island’s top officials.

“You had the race of the century. A race involving the President of Barbados, the Most Honorable Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, the Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce, Deputy Commissioners of Police Sonia Boyce and Ian Branch, Assistant Commissioners Stephen Herbert and David Welch,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Branch emerged victorious.

The event also featured a colourful divisional display competition, with administration capturing the award for Best Display.

Winners of Best Display, The Barbados Police Service Administration department. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)

(LE)