Very often we are fast to pull down and criticise. However, kudos goes to the fine men and women of the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) led by the Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin.
Sometimes, criticism is necessary to keep complacency and stagnation at bay. Everyone has a right to praise or condemn when he or she sees fit.
The recent swift arrest of two men for the Tudor Street fire shows what can be achieved when there is a harmonious relationship between the Police Force and John Public.
Common sense also tells me that more crimes will be solved in the groundswell of confidence towards the RBPF. I beg and plead with you not to squander this groundswell of support and confidence.
We as Barbadians must be proud, that we still have a police force which has not adopted inhuman or draconian measures in the execution of their duties as seen on reality television show Cops. The hierarchy of the RBPF must publicly recognise the outstanding officers in each division or department.
It does not take a rocket scientist to discover that praise and recognition are some of the greatest motivators of mankind.
Why cannot the Officer Of The Year be featured in the media? Why cannot the Officer Of The Year be given a trip or pampering hotel stay?
I can imagine the pessimists among you spewing out why no incentives. Thus, I beg to ask, are these women and men only good enough to patrol around hotels?
The term civil servant may be an oxymoron but even dogs fly and stay in hotels. Let’s love, pamper, praise and show our appreciation to the members of the RBPF as they put our safety above their own.
Finally, let me share a section of the Royal Barbados Police Force Code Of Ethics: “As a member of the Royal Barbados Police Force, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice.”
Thus, when will we see the word force replaced with service?
• Kammie M. Holder, the boy from the village, witnessed first-hand policemen in Ghana taking bribes.
