The Barbados Police Association (BPA) has issued a stark warning about the escalating dangers faced by law enforcement personnel, declaring policing an increasingly perilous profession. Association President Inspector Wendley Carter revealed that if the ongoing public service regrading exercise fails to adequately address these risks, the organization will formally petition the Mia Mottley administration for a specialized compensation package.
Rather than the previously proposed ‘hazard allowance,’ the BPA now advocates for a comprehensive ‘risk allowance’ that would encompass the entire police service. Inspector Carter explained this terminological shift reflects the evolving nature of threats officers confront, both on and off duty. “We are moving away from ‘hazard allowance’ because it might be a risk… there are different types of risks in the police service,” Carter stated during an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY.
The timing of this initiative is strategically linked to the government’s current compensation review. Carter indicated that if the regrading results prove unsatisfactory, the association will aggressively pursue additional compensation measures. This approach aims to retain experienced personnel while making the service more attractive to new recruits.
Carter highlighted an alarming trend of experienced officers leaving for better-paying positions at institutions like the Central Bank and University of the West Indies. “If I left the police service to go to the Central Bank or The UWI, that means I am getting more than what I am getting in the service,” he noted, emphasizing the recruitment challenges stemming from non-competitive compensation.
The risk allowance proposal gains urgency following recent violent incidents against officers, including a shooting attack mentioned by Carter. He stressed that modern policing risks extend beyond traditional duty hours, as officers remain vulnerable even when off-duty due to their recognizable professional status.
The BPA leader called for governmental action to address both compensation issues and recruitment shortages, warning that without competitive packages, the police service cannot attract sufficient qualified candidates to maintain public safety standards.