Two new dormitories will be built on the compound of the Regional Police Training School, while significant remedial work will be done to upgrade that Seawell, Christ Church, institution.
Attorney General Dale Marshall made the disclosure today after he and US Ambassador, Roger Nyhus, signed a Project Implementation Letter governing the provision of technical assistance for the partial renovation of the Regional Police Training School. The brief signing ceremony took place at the Solicitor General’s Conference Room, Webster’s Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael.
Mr. Marshall said the US Government will be contributing US$ 550,000 for the renovations and thanked the Ambassador for the assistance.
“The Regional Police Training School, because of its location, maintenance is a major issue. This contribution comes at a very important time. It will be used specifically for doing remedial work on the existing buildings. At the same time, the Barbados Government will be making our own investment of about $6 million to build two new dormitories at the training school,” he told the media.
The Attorney General stressed the need for the dormitories, especially since an increasing number of females are applying to join the ranks of The Barbados Police Service.
He continued: “A larger number of women, than previously, are applying to join the Police Service. We’ve had a difficulty accepting those increased numbers because the current dormitory accommodation is limited to just 22…. We don’t have unisex dorms….
“So, every year, we have to turn away a significant number of women simply because we can’t physically accommodate them…. Each new dormitory will hold 30 people, so, in addition to the existing capacity, we will have the ability to add an extra 60 recruits if we could reach that capacity.”
Mr. Marshall said the intense advertising and marketing done by The Barbados Police Service to increase its numbers have started to bear fruit.
Ambassador Nyhus said the US Government was pleased to partner with Barbados and enhance the security in the region.
He stated: “I see Barbados as a hub for training, from throughout the region, for law enforcement leaders. This would be an area that Barbados will excel at. I think having these enhanced facilities will make it easier for folks from throughout the region to come and get trained, and it’s something that the US fully supports, and hopefully we will continue to make investments in this area.”