Building Effective Law Enforcement Officers: Insights from High-Ranking Police Officer on Knowledge, Integrity, and Collaboration

A high-ranking police officer has highlighted the critical role of knowledge, integrity and collaboration in shaping effective law enforcement officers.

Speaking to participants of the Court Prosecutors Course and Enhanced Constable Development Course, hosted at the Regional Police Training Centre (RPTC), Acting Superintendent Anthony Warner drew from his own career journey to highlight how his pursuit of legal knowledge was sparked by identifying gaps in case file information.

“The information and knowledge were so inspiring that it caused me to continue to pursue the Bachelor of Laws,” he said, noting that his initial training became foundational to his legal education.

Superintendent Warner stressed the value of continuous learning, explaining that the course participants were selected for their potential to make significant impacts in their respective departments across Barbados, St Kitts and Nevis, and The Bahamas.

Aligning the training with broader policing goals, he said: “The theme of our policing plan for the year 2024 is unity and safety by partnering with all stakeholders to safeguard our communities.” He urged graduates to conduct thorough investigations and pursue all lines of inquiry to avoid gaps in their case files.

Law enforcement’s role extends beyond securing convictions to ensuring impartial justice, the senior officer said. He reminded officers of their dual duty to both complainants and the accused, stressing fairness as a central tenet. “There can be no better feeling for victims and accused persons as well as providing positive advertisement for us at no financial cost.”

The superintendent warned that the integrity of both individuals and organisations would be constantly tested in their line of work. “The reputation and integrity of your organisation will be under scrutiny, but more importantly, your own reputation and integrity will be challenged,” he stated, adding that integrity, once lost, is difficult to restore.

Referring to the Constitution, Superintendent Warner reminded officers to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms in their investigations. He also addressed the issue of cases being dismissed due to incomplete files or delays, urging officers to change this narrative through their work.

Deputy Commandant of the RPTC, Lawrence Collymore, also addressed the graduates, commending their performance during the rigorous training. He highlighted the comprehensive syllabus of the court prosecutors course, developed in consultation with the Department of Public Prosecutions.

The course coordinator expressed his satisfaction with the participants’ performance, adding that the graduates had taken to heart his repeated advice to “pay attention to detail, listen, [and] be observant.” He pointed to the constables’ ability to self-manage during the course as a testament to their professionalism. “You were able to supervise yourselves. It is testimony to the level of proficiency that I saw in you,” Collymore remarked.

Collymore also praised the constables’ ability to produce case files in a timely manner, a critical skill given the police service’s ongoing struggles with incomplete files. He shared the story of one constable who was able to produce a fully completed file in under 24 hours during the training. “It tells me that if something like this, albeit in training, that a constable can produce a file in less than 24 hours, then it is a standard that we ought to seek to reach,” Collymore said, urging others to follow this example in their day-to-day duties. (RG)