Police mull uniform change to beat Crop Over heat

Police officers are backing an historic plan to introduce lighter, more comfortable uniforms for Crop Over, as authorities respond to forecasts of extreme heat expected to affect on-duty personnel, Barbados TODAY has learnt.

President of the Police Association of Barbados, Inspector Wendly Carter, confirmed that officers backed the proposal, details of which are still under consideration by authorities.

He said: “They are looking at different clothing for Crop Over. The administration is looking at that already; so, the possibility of the usual uniform might not be there for Crop Over. It might be something more comfortable. Right now, it is hot…I have on my plain clothes and I could feel the heat.

“I don’t think you might see the traditional uniform for Crop Over; but they have to confirm it now. It is a proposal to deal with the excess heat. I don’t know if it is concrete or if it will come to fruition. So, they are looking at it, so it would be a more comfortable wear for Crop Over instead of the old traditional uniform… It could be very hot during the Crop Over period.

“We had a discussion on it.  It was their proposal and we supported it. They even had a modeling of the uniform for the various divisional officers, and the association was invited. So, we support the cause, and we hope it could roll off for Crop Over.”

Ahead of a pending heatwave, authorities now have greater reason to move ahead with the initiative quickly.

The proposal has been on the table since December or January, he said.

Inspector Carter continued: “You have to find out how many people you have to cater for, and the prices. It’s now a matter of getting the support from the government…cause they [police administration] could look at it, we could look at it, but the buy-in has to come from the government who has to get the budget organised. So, they could propose and we could propose, but if the government doesn’t buy-in, we are still at square one.

If the excessive heat persists after the festival, the association would request that officers continue to wear the new uniform, he said.

“If it is suitable for Kadooment, you would have to see if it is suitable for daily wear. Our daily wear goes back a long time. We started with the big white helmet… That was the daily wear with a white tunic…because, even the traditional hats that we now use, they are very hot; and with the heat now…and they are on your head.”

With the police service being more than 190 years old, changes are to be expected, said the police officers’ spokesman.

“You have to expect changes. So people should expect changes from the service. But the uniform…you will still see a police officer and you would know it’s a police officer. And you have the climate change, so, you still have to be comfortable when you are on the job.”

(EJ)