A cadre of law enforcement and security personnel are now better equipped to handle the challenges that come with being an effective leader, after completing the Executive Development Programme conducted by the Cave Hill School of Business.

Addressing the 23 participants for Barbados and the region, Director of Training at the Regional Security System, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Yvonne Alexander, said law enforcement and security personnel were constantly challenged with meeting the demands of a new era.

She noted that such persons were required to have a new form of thinking, new attitudes and updated perspectives in order to effectively respond to a changing environment.

???Today???s law enforcement leader must be trained and capable to address a wide variety of challenges, including terrorism, challenges of cybercrime, the challenges of evolving technologies, as well as changing laws and cultural mores within our region,??? she emphasised.

Ms. Alexander explained that during a training needs assessment conducted in the region over five years ago, building leadership capacity was identified as one of the areas of greatest need.

???The Regional Security System, through the Regional Security System Training Institute, feels satisfied with this executive development programme and other similar training targeting all levels of managers and leaders in law enforcement and security across all member states,??? she said.

In his address, Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite, said that in some instances, persons were placed in management positions without the prior training.??Admitting that he too found himself in a similar position at one point, the Attorney General shared his prescription for what he believes are the qualities of a good leader.

Those qualities are empathy; being fair and honest with those you interact with daily; having a love for the job and being able to lead by example daily through a display of proper work ethics; having confidence to face challenges; being enthusiastic about the job; being of good character; having good communication and a sense of humour.

???It is very important that those who report to you respect your character, and that you are honest. You will not command respect from those who report to you if when they look at your character it is not a good one,??? he cautioned.

julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb

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