Barbadians applying for a Police Certificate of Character now have a faster and easier way to do so. They may apply, pay and receive their certificate online from Monday, March 2.
Applications may be made by visiting the website www.gov.bb. Persons may also fill out the form via the Royal Barbados Police Force’s (RBPF) Facebook page.
This initiative is being facilitated through a collaboration between the RBPF and the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology to fully automate the system and reduce the wait times for the police certificates of character.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Dale Marshall, is expected to deliver the opening remarks and conduct a live demonstration during the official launch of the online process.
“The system is going to be automated. You will be applying online; paying online and the certificate will be emailed back to you. It will therefore not require the involvement of those six police officers who will now be able to occupy their time doing regular policing,” Mr. Marshall said recently.
Under the new system, persons may log into the government portal and indicate their payment option using the EZpay+ platform, which allows for mMoney, credit card and direct debit transactions, before proceeding to fill out the online application.
All online applications for the Police Certificate of Character will be confirmed via the email address submitted.
Alternatively, persons may opt to pay for the certificates with cash at all post offices. For this payment option, persons will be required to print the application for presentation with payment at the post office.
During the transitional phase, digital ambassadors will be present at the Police Certificate of Character Office in Pinfold Street, Bridgetown, and eight post offices – Six Roads, Glebe, Holetown, Oistins, Warrens, Speightstown, Eagle Hall and the General Post Office.
They will be available at these locations between 8:00 and 11:30 a.m., Monday to Friday, from March 2 to March 13, to facilitate online applications for persons who do not have access to Wi-Fi or devices, or those seeking assistance completing the form.
Persons may also call the Police Certificate of Character Office via the hotline numbers 430-7677 and 228-0131, for assistance.