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Lawmen Rewarded & Presented With Medals

Over 200 members of The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) were recently rewarded and saluted for their contribution to the organisation during an Awards Ceremony and Presentation of Service Medals of Honour.

And acting Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams lauded them for their commitment and dedication to TBPS and Barbados and encouraged them to continue exercising discretion while carrying out their tasks.

Mr. Abrahams said: “Let us divert people even before they get into the system. Sometimes, the police officers can exercise discretion; sometimes you can have a word; sometimes the strict, forceful enforcement of the law may not actually yield the result that you want. See yourself as your name implies as a service organisation….

“You have to be nimble enough and care enough about your job, your profession, The Service and the public of Barbados, to be able to exercise your discretion in a way … that promotes law and order, but also maintains a harmonious relationship between the police and the public of Barbados because I think that is critical and crucial.”

He explained that his Ministry (Home Affairs and Information) would be taking the child justice legislation to Parliament. He pointed out that this legislation “kicks in” after somebody has been charged.

“Once you’re charged, there are certain avenues for diversion where we can, instead of going down a strict criminal process, try to give you every opportunity based on accepting what it is that you did, and being penitent and actually learning from what it was that you did. We give every opportunity to divert you out of the system….

“If you speak to a man, …and you show him a level of understanding and reason with him, or a child, you have a better chance of converting that person to becoming a useful citizen than you have if you enforce their compliance by force,” Mr. Abrahams surmised.

*Sgt. Kim Harris receives her award from acting Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams at The Barbados Police Service Awards Ceremony and Presentation of Service Medals of Honour last Friday.*

In praising The Barbados Police Service, including its band, he commended the Commissioner and officers for their community policing initiative.

He said the organisation had evolved significantly and the lawmen were now more highly trained, with more resources at their disposal to effectively carry out their work.

Commissioner of Police, Richard Boyce, stressed the importance of police officers living by the motto “more than my best I cannot do, and less than my best I will not do”.

He said The Service’s leadership was “very pleased” with their performance and urged them to “keep on doing what you are doing; it can only redound to our benefit”.

Mr. Boyce continued: “We are very proud of each and every one of you. I ask you to keep on the right track. There is a lot more work to be done, and we can only reach and achieve our goals and objectives for the organisation if you the members…keep the light burning….”

He encouraged the lawmen to continue embracing and following the ideals of The Service. During the afternoon ceremony, held at the Barbados Workers’ Union, Solidarity House, Harmony Hall, St. Michael, 147 persons were given the Barbados Service Medal; 49 received commendations; and 37 were presented with the Service Medal First Clasp.

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Remembrance Day Parade On November 10, 2024

Barbados will remember the servicepeople who lost their lives during World Wars I and II, with the customary Remembrance Day Parade and a short inter-denominational service at the Cenotaph, National Heroes Square, The City, on Sunday, November 10.

The parade will commence at 8:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on national television and radio.

Several armed and unarmed uniformed groups will be on parade, including the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Legion, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides.

Wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

The service will be followed by an informal inspection of veterans and a march-past by uniformed groups. Members of the public desirous of attending the event are asked to collect tickets from the receptionist at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St. Michael, from Monday, November 4, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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Key Reminders When Considering Investment Opportunities

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reminding the public to exercise caution when considering investments in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes. While MLMs may present themselves as legitimate business opportunities, some can be risky or even illegal, leading to significant financial losses.

Here are some key things to consider before making any investments:

1. Research the Company/Person(s): Thoroughly investigate the background, business model, and reputation of any of the company or persons involved. Verify whether the company or persons associated with the investment are registered and regulated by relevant authorities like the Financial Services Commission.

2. Understand the Business Model: Genuine businesses generate revenue primarily through the sale of products or services, not recruitment of participants. Be wary of models that emphasise recruitment over product sales.

3. Check for Red Flags: Promises of high returns with little effort, emphasis on recruiting others, or pressure to make large upfront investments are warning signs.

4. Consult with Experts: Seek advice based on your financial goals and wherewithal from regulated individuals or companies set up to provide such guidance.

The public is urged to approach all investment opportunities with caution and conduct their due diligence to safeguard their financial well-being.

It is an offence for persons not registered or licensed with the Commission to offer investment advice, sell financial products or deal in securities.

The public is encouraged to notify the Commission of any situations where entities or individuals engage in these practices without being duly registered and/or licensed. (PR/GIS)

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Barbadians Continue To Benefit From UNESCO Training In Cuba

Barbadians continue to benefit from UNESCO training courses in Cuba, despite the country experiencing an island-wide blackout from Friday, October 18.

Three Barbadians are currently in Cuba participating in the Caribbean Cultural Training Hub of the UNESCO Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, which was organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, and funded by the European Union.

Historian and Genealogical Researcher, Stacia Martindale, is participating in the course Designing Small Businesses in Heritage Tourism Destinations, while Landscape Architectural Technician, Kodi Husbands, and Assistant Coordinator and Researcher of the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Rhianna Smith, are participating in the course Introduction to the Management of Integrated Development of Historic Centers.

They shared their experiences of being in Cuba and about the courses they are studying.

Ms. Martindale said: “So far, the experience has been very amazing. I’ve been loving the culture of Cuba and the general experience in class.

It’s really been exciting for me. It’s my first time in Cuba. I think I know quite a bit about Cuba just because I’m really interested in History. I’m actually a History teacher, so to come here, where that history has happened, is really, really exciting for me.”

Mr. Husbands, who is on his second visit to Cuba, shared that the first time he visited was on a vacation. “It really resonated with me. I got to understand the culture a lot more [and] I was able to identify with the people after speaking to them about their experiences and how they live. That’s what inspired me to continue working in sustainable architecture and design, and cater for society and the people, rather than doing it for money.

“So far, I’ve found different methods or techniques and practices which can be useful for back home in my field of architecture. And different ways I can further develop my country, whether it’s towns like Bridgetown, Speightstown, or Oistins. Or even smaller communities like in the East Coast, or in St. George or more rural areas as well,” he remarked.

It is also the second time for Ms. Smith, who previously benefitted from a course in June, this year, at the prestigious International Film and Television School of San Antonio de Los Baños, on the outskirts of Havana.

“This experience has been a lot different compared to when I was in San Antonio. Havana is a lot more active and has a lot more to see. And so, I’ve been able to immerse in the culture in ways that I was not able to the first time around,” Ms. Smith said.

She added: “We have been having some tours where we have been seeing examples of not only the restoration of historic sites and buildings, but also the repurposing of those buildings for uses that really fit the community. For instance, earlier this week we visited a daycare. But it was a day care for the elderly which doubles as a day care for babies, and so on.

“And so, what they are trying to do is to integrate those two generations and, of course, develop a consciousness of caring for the elderly. Things like that have led me to conclude that it’s been nothing short of inspiring so far, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where things go.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Rhianna Smith, Barbados’ Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Sharon Marshall; UNESCO Director Anne Lemaistre; Stacia Martindale; and Kodi Husbands pose for a photograph