Sonia Boyce assumes command of The Barbados Police Service

The Barbados Police Service will be led by a woman for the first time in its 191-year history, as acting Deputy Commissioner Sonia Boyce assumes command on Friday, following the retirement of Commissioner Richard Boyce after 46 years of service.

The transition was marked by a ceremony at Police Headquarters on Roebuck Street, on Thursday, which also signalled the simultaneous departure of Deputy Commissioner Ian Branch after 47 years in the force, ending a combined 93 years of policing experience at the top level.

In a symbolic passing of the baton in the headquarters’ boardroom, outgoing Commissioner Boyce expressed confidence in his namesake successor while underscoring the continuity of the police service’s mission. The two Boyces are not related.

“Today is a moment of transition, but it is also a moment of continuity,” he declared. “The office of Commissioner of Police is never about one individual. It is about service to the country, loyalty to the Constitution, respect for the rule of law, and a daily duty to protect, reassure the people of Barbados, who place their trust in the service.”

Reflecting on persistent concerns over gun violence, robberies, road fatalities and digital misinformation, he noted that leadership change would not diminish their urgency.

“Our country has faced serious challenges,” he said, while highlighting progress under his tenure: “The Barbados Police Service has strengthened its intelligence-led work, deepened partnerships, improved public visibility, and continued the difficult work of prevention, investigation, and enforcement.”

Turning to his successor during the ceremony, he added: “Commissioner-designate Boyce, I now pass you not only the responsibility of command, but the confidence that this service can continue to serve, protect, and reassure Barbados with courage, fairness, and professionalism. Confidence resides in you, and I leave this organisation smiling, happy at heart that the person who received this baton is well deserved, well prepared, and ready for battle.”

Commissioner Boyce, a veteran with four decades of service in operational and investigative roles, brings a formidable track record to the top post. Having successfully led numerous major murder investigations that resulted in convictions, she declared that her administration will maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards violent crime and lawlessness.  

​”Our commitment to the rule of law is absolute and non-negotiable,” the new commissioner declared. “We will be relentless in our investigative discipline and our focus on bringing perpetrators to justice. The public can expect a visible, proactive police presence designed to prevent crime before it occurs and to act decisively when it does.”

Boyce, who recently completed the Executive Leadership Programme at the College of Policing in the UK, said her immediate focus would be on strengthening community policing ties whilst leveraging data-driven intelligence to suppress emerging crime trends.  

She acknowledged both the historic nature of her appointment and the expectations it carries:

“I stand before you today with humility, gratitude, and a deep sense of duty. I acknowledge the historic nature of this appointment. I am conscious that many women and girls across Barbados will see significance in this moment. I welcome that, but at the same time, I wish to be clear that I stand here as a result of service, preparation, training, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. Ultimately, the measure of this leadership will be in our results, our fairness, our professionalism, and the level of trust we build with the public.”

She outlined priorities, including strengthening internal communication, improving officer welfare, and enhancing enforcement strategies, all grounded in the service’s core mission.

“We will protect through effective prevention, strong enforcement, further investigations, sound intelligence, appropriate use of technology, and meaningful partnerships,” she said. “Public safety is a shared responsibility, and we are strongest when we work together proactively, not only in times of crisis.”

The ceremony carried both celebratory and reflective tones as colleagues paid tribute to the departing leadership.

Acting Inspector Ryan Brathwaite, master of ceremonies, noted the scale of the transition: “We are losing a lot of knowledge in one go — almost 100 years of policing between these two brilliant gentlemen. But history is always there to be created, and we go to another historic stage when Sonia Boyce becomes the first female commissioner of police.”

Acting Senior Superintendent Vernon Farrell, who oversees the crime portfolio, described the retiring Commissioner as a mentor marked by quiet confidence and humility, recalling moments that showcased his dry wit and strict adherence to legality. He quoted 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Outgoing Deputy Commissioner Ian Branch offered personal reflections on his long-time colleague, recalling their start as coursemates on February 3, 1979 and referencing Boyce’s early nickname.

“The best person as far as I’m concerned for the job,” Branch said. “Miss Boyce… has all the qualities to be a Commissioner of Police.”

​​Reflecting on his tenure and the evolution of the constabulary, outgoing commissioner Boyce issued a stern final warning to criminal elements, emphasising that law enforcement capabilities have never been stronger:

​”We have systematically integrated modern technology and advanced international policing standards into our daily operations. The message to those who seek to disrupt the peace of our communities is clear: there are no safe havens. Our workforce is highly competent, accountable and fully equipped to detect and dismantle criminal networks.”

The police service remains dedicated to its foundational pillars of efficiency and professional excellence, he said, ensuring that the momentum built during his leadership will carry forward seamlessly.

The ceremony concluded with presentations of appreciation to the retiring officers, while attention turned to the formal installation of Commissioner Sonia Boyce, set for a week from Friday.

(RR)