Officers of the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) are set to get new and improved accommodations this financial year.

This was disclosed by Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite, as he addressed a number of ???burning issues??? during the Annual General Meeting of the Barbados Police Association in the Prince Cave Hall at the District ???A??? Police Station yesterday.

???We are putting together a package worth about $76 million to have some new police stations completed,??? he affirmed, noting that Cabinet had already approved the financing.

The Attorney General stressed that it was Government???s intention to ensure that they had the best facilities possible, especially as there were a number of officers out on medical-related leave.

In fact, he pointed out that work had already started at police stations around the island to improve their conditions for the lawmen.??That work includes the conversion of a garage at the District ???C??? Police Station to house an interview room, and the installation of an air conditioning unit and the complete refurbishment of the kitchen at the Airport Police Station.

???The executive also raised the issue of the smell of jet fuel at the Airport [Police] Station, [which is sometimes] very obvious. That is why we are putting in the additional unit. We will have to monitor it and see what other action will be required,??? he said.

In addition, work is also ongoing at the Central Police Station where repairs are being made to the roof over the Operations Control Unit, the Police Canteen and female dorms. A security fence is also being erected at the station towards the western side of the building, and a new security gate installed.

The existing Hastings Police Station will receive a paint job, while hurricane shutters will be installed at the Oistins Police Station. Meanwhile, the Crab Hill Police Station in St. Lucy will receive repairs to the roof and entrance, while the inside of the Police Band headquarters at the District ???A??? Police Station will also undergo refurbishment.

Mr. Brathwaite, also Minister of Home Affairs, further outlined that repairs were also being done to the plumbing and water tank at the District ???B??? Police Station, and to the air conditioning system and ceiling tiles at the Glebe Police Station.??At the District ???E??? Police Station repair work is being done on the concrete roof, and at the Holetown Police Station, the roof and air conditioning system are being repaired.

???So you can see that there is already work being done and as resources become available we will do additional work,??? Mr. Brathwaite asserted.

He also gave police officers attached to the Force???s Marine Unit the assurance that they were not forgotten. However, he explained that their issues needed to be addressed in the long-term redevelopment plan for the Bridgetown Port.

Mr. Brathwaite further disclosed plans to have a new civic centre at Six Roads, St. Philip, and for a new police station at Black Rock, St. Michael. In addition, he assured police that issues presently being experienced at Port St. Charles were being addressed by all those involved.

julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb

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