Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin says he does not want to see Barbados do like others and appoint an expatriate as top cop.
Yesterday at the 133rd police passing out parade at the Regional Police Training Centre, Dottin said there was an emerging trend in some Caribbean islands, where there has been a noticeable correlation between the replacement of commissioners and growing levels of crime.
“It has been quite noticeable that in some instances that the frantic search for leaders has led to the employment of persons who are, in the most parts, expatriates.
“I do believe that the current approach can be a recipe for disappointment for it unfairly suggests that the new-found replacement brings to the table a range of solutions to the multi-dimensional issues that affect our criminal justice system,” he said.
Before an audience that included guest speaker Justice Randall Worrell and RPTC Commandant Eucklyn Thompson, Dottin’s comments come in the wake of plans by Trinidad and Tobago to instal a Canadian as Commissioner of Police.
Dottin, 60, the island’s top cop since 2003, said it would be unwise to think that such changes would simply transform law and order.
“I am of the view that it is unreasonable, and perhaps unfair to employ people, place them in positions of leadership, and then attach unrealististic expectations to their performance.
“I firmly believe that we must strenuously avoid such an approach. Indeed, what is required in the current circumstances is a commitment to the upgrade and strengthening of our institutions,” he added.
Dottin said that this 175th anniversary year provides an opportunity for police to reflect on their work and plans for the future. Commandant Thompson congratulated the 39 all-Barbadian recruits – 34 males, five females – who underwent rigorous training at the Christ Church training facility for 26 weeks.
Best recruit was 6ft, 1in, Perry Isidore, who earned the Commandant’s Trophy and the Baton Of Honour. A product of Bagatelle, St Thomas, Isidore, 22, who has St Lucian parentage, is a former Coleridge and Parry student. “It’s a major achievement and a case of the hard work over the last 26 weeks paying off. The instructors played a big role in guiding me all the way,” Isidore said.
The new recruits included former Barbados Youth Team opening batsman, Roger Williams, who captured the award for being the best at physical training.
