COMMISSIONER OF POLICE DARWIN DOTTIN sees no cause for pessimism on the number of police officers leaving the island.

He said there were some developed countries which were at a similar point but they took measures to address them.

Dottin was speaking to the MIDWEEK NATION after an inaugural awards ceremony for members of both the public and the force for excellent work in the community, held last Saturday night at The Glebe Resource Centre, St George.

"There are difficulties with recruiting in Barbados but it is not peculiar to Barbados. I remember when Bermuda were losing their officers to Britain, so now they are recruiting officers which is why there is so much competition," he said.

Using nine students attached to thr force as examples, he said people did not want to join as the force was not seen as attractive pay-wise. They also thought it socially disruptive to their lives and the rules were too strict.

"We have to address conditions of service. I feel if you improve this, then I'm certain prospective candidates would see the force as more attractive. These are issues we would have to look at in the Caribbean," he said.

During the evening, certificates, plaques and trophies were presented to the awardees. Dottin added that such events were necessary in order to motivate the force. (CA)