Construction on a series of police stations and civic centres is expected to start at strategic locations across Barbados by June this year.
Addressing the opening of the annual Royal Barbados Police Force conference at Solidarity House this morning, Acting Attorney-General Michael Lashley said the facilities were part of Government’s $76 million capital programme for police.
Lashley, whose substantive post is Minister of Transport and Works, told the packed auditorium of law enforcers, that construction was scheduled to begin in the first half of this year, beginning on the Hastings/Worthing Police Station.
Later in the year, work will commence on the Cane Garden Police Station.
“In addition, we will be refurbishing the Black Rock Police Station to house the Truth Verification Unit and the Family Conflict Unit. Design drawings are also being done for a new headquarters building at the Pine, St Michael,” he said.
Further to the capital works, Lashley said Government would be providing the force with state of the art forensic technology in order to maintain its “outstanding record” for effective investigation and case resolution.
Acting Attorney-General Michael Lashley
“Hence, I am pleased to inform you that we are in the process of acquiring the new IBIS Bullettrax HD3D Acquisition Station and the Bullet Viewer software licence,” he added.
He said the equipment was valued at over $800,000, but stressed it was a worthwhile investment since it would enhance the force’s forensic capacity in relation to the examination and analysis of bullets recovered at scenes of crime.
Lashley said, too, that training was being provided in new and emerging areas of crime.
He also told Barbados TODAY that a mobile police outpost would be set up at the River Road bus terminal shortly to deal with crime challenges in that facility.
“That is something we need to address frontally and urgently,” he said.