The Barbados Police Service (BPS) is pursuing criminal activity in the country vigorously and relentlessly, and at every level.
This assurance has come from Acting Commissioner of Police, Erwin Boyce, who said the Service would bring the strongest arm to eliminate the use of illegal firearms and violence in society.
Mr. Boyce made the comments on Thursday evening during a press briefing to address matters of national concern, at Police Headquarters, Corner of Palmetto Street and Lower Roebuck Street, St. Michael.
The acting Commissioner reiterated that the Service’s plans were predicated on robust policing strategies in critical areas, and stressed that he and his officers will ensure Barbados remains a safe and peaceful place.
“We have already set our strategies in place and have already begun to strengthen the areas that need our attention, shifting our focus on effective and results-oriented policing. We are of the view that our policing strategies are not static, they are subject to change and subject to expansion.
“We have started some work in our communities and definitely will continue to do so. Of course, some of our strategies that are…medium term and long term will take some time to work….,” he explained.
He noted, however, that notwithstanding their efforts, the Service remained confronted with the scourge of gun violence, particularly within recent times.
“We have seen targeted fatal shootings and access to illicit firearms which, in my mind, is unprecedented at this time. This is not our culture; this is not our society…. The Barbados Police Service will not tolerate…[such] behaviour….
“We are purposefully resolved to bring this to an end, and I speak for every member of The Barbados Police Service. Violence is not part of our society and will never be…. There will be zero tolerance to gun and gun-related matters, and we will be pursuing all offences, however small they are,” Mr. Boyce emphasised.
He pointed out that the Traffic Unit had been repurposed to intensify and mobilise the road policing activity. He noted that the Service was putting a lot of emphasis on road policing strategies, even accelerating them daily.
The acting Commissioner of Police gave the assurance that its community engagement would continue. “We have relooked our community engagement over the last couple of days, … to see where we can bring communities closer to us, or we take ourselves closer to communities, to enable the communities to remain safe. And obviously, our tactics and law enforcement efforts will be maintained in earnest….
“Prevention, suppression and intervention, are all part of the measures that we are using. Our frontline policing and our tactics will remain firm and we will remain fair…. We will stamp out this scourge. And I want to reemphasise the fact that The BPS remains committed to ensuring that there is a safe and free society,” he stressed.
Mr. Boyce reminded the public that they also had a role to play in this fight, and urged them to share information with the Police Service. He acknowledged that the BPS had been receiving assistance from the public, but said more was needed.