The Barbados Police Service is shifting its recruitment focus toward intelligence and technology driven policing as it works to fill 254 vacancies and adapt to the evolving landscape of modern crime – from cyber fraud to human trafficking.

Station Sergeant Colin Allamby, in charge of training and recruitment, said TBPS is seeking young Barbadians with fresh minds and digital skills who can help tackle cybercrime, financial fraud, and online exploitation.

“We have moved away from what persons may think – that you have to have brawn to join the police service. Because of the dynamics of crime nowadays, we are moving more into a technological area and we need persons with that sort of skill. Criminals are using technology and for us to really solve these problems, we have to get on board,” Allamby explained.

The police service has established specialised units in cybercrime, financial crime and human trafficking, expanding the traditional scope of law enforcement.

The new Financial Crimes Unit, for instance, takes a dual approach to investigations.

“We’re looking at cybercrime and cybersecurity. We’re not only attacking crime from the front – we’re also attacking it from the back, where the profits of crime are,” Allamby said.

Similarly, the Human Trafficking and Sex Crimes Units focus on dismantling organised operations that often use technology.

“Persons traffic in order to commit crime, so there’s a whole lot of opportunities available for people in policing.”

Training programme

Allamby was speaking yesterday at the Hastings/Worthing Police Station, Christ Church, where 28 special constables completed a tenday orientation course, following eight weeks of formal training at the Regional Police Training Centre (RPTC). They are set to hit the streets and beaches from tomorrow assisting with operations in tourist and coastal areas.

This initiative forms part of a Government plan to introduce 60 new special constable posts.

For police constables, the training period lasts six months and candidates must have at least three CSEC passes, grades one to three, including English, and be between the age of 19 to 35 years.

By contrast, special constables, who serve in temporary posts, undergo an eight-week training programme, with fewer academic prerequisites and must be between 19 and 40 years old.

There are no height or physical build requirements as policing increasingly emphasises intelligenceled

strategies rather than brute strength.

“The training is basically the same. They go through the same recruitment and vetting process, but the key difference is that special constables are temporary posts, while police constables are permanent,” Allamby noted.

Allamby said special constables can transition to the police service after three years in their roles, which many have done, but they have to go through the relevant training.

“They have to go back to the RPTC and do the full training as they are called on to do more.”

He stated that beyond the physical, the special constables also studied relevant legislation such as the Minor Offences Act, Criminal Law (Arrest of Offenders) Act and Police Act, particularly with a focus on tourist-oriented policing.

“Special constables in this case have all the same powers as a constable,” he noted Allamby reiterated a special appeal for people to join the police service.

In the past two years, the police service has seen 51 recruits graduate in 2024 and 47 this year, with another intake planned for this month.

Additional vacancies

“We are pushing very hard. As we speak, there are persons in the office doing final interviews for that recruitment process,” Allamby confirmed, adding that the vacancy numbers remain high with people retiring and some moving on.

“With people retiring, we have to replace those numbers and still fill the additional vacancies. We’re appealing to young men and women across Barbados to join the police service. There are so many opportunities now – from technology and cyber units to intelligence and specialised divisions.

Despite the staffing gap, Allamby noted the force’s unwavering commitment to its mission.

“We understand that our mantra is to serve and protect the people of Barbados. That’s what we are committed to do – continue being a good service, and work hard for the people.” (NS)

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