The Barbados Police Service is experiencing a remarkable surge in recruitment interest, with officials reporting dramatically increased application numbers following a series of career fairs designed to attract new talent and bolster departmental ranks.
Acting Commissioner Stephen Herbert, overseeing Human Resources and Administration, characterized the recent recruitment event at Weymouth, St Michael as an extraordinary achievement. He noted substantially higher application volumes compared to previous recruitment cycles, interpreting this enthusiastic response as public endorsement of the service’s ongoing transformative initiatives.
“This growing momentum is tremendously encouraging for our organization,” Herbert stated during Saturday’s opening ceremony for another recruitment fair at Golden Square in Bridgetown. “It strengthens our confidence that Barbados’ policing future appears both bright and promising.”
The service currently seeks to fill approximately 250 vacancies spanning diverse operational areas including frontline policing, investigative divisions, community outreach programs, and administrative support functions. Herbert emphasized the critical nature of this recruitment campaign, directly addressing citizens: “The significance of this initiative cannot be overemphasized. Our nation requires your service. There exists a position for every dedicated individual within our ranks.”
The interactive weekend event enabled attendees to engage directly with officers from various departments, explore potential career trajectories, and gain firsthand perspectives about policing challenges and rewards. Among those participating was Acting Deputy Commissioner Sonia Boyce, who made history as the first female appointee to this senior position.
Reflecting on her groundbreaking achievement, Commissioner Boyce remarked: “We frequently hear discussions about shattering the proverbial glass ceiling. I believe I have genuinely entered that sphere and am profoundly grateful for this service opportunity at the highest level.”
The police service has announced additional recruitment fairs scheduled for early next year in Speightstown, St Peter and Six Roads, St Philip, continuing their comprehensive national outreach effort.