Commissioner of Police Dottin
While cruising at Barbados Forum yesterday, I came across a huge ongoing chat about the Royal Barbados Police Force… and by “ongoing” I mean it started over two years ago!
Policing is always a topic of interest in any country, and this is especially true in Barbados where our small size means that an individual’s actions (including an individual police officer’s actions) can have a far greater impact upon others than in a larger society.
One of the participants in the Barbados Forum chat mentioned that the website of the Royal Barbados Police Force seemed to be a bit outdated, so I thought I’d take a look.
The website of the Royal Barbados Police Force is here.
Our Comments
The Royal Barbados Police Force website is well laid out and loads quickly, but could be improved insofar as current and relevant content is concerned. The only two “news” items are a month-old post on missing woman Sharon Harewood, and wanted notice for a drug dealer who escaped from police custody and in all likelihood ran back to his native Brazil over a year ago.
Although there is a short history of the force and sections dealing with crime prevention and being hired as a Constable – once visited, there is nothing new to draw people back to the website.
In short, the Royal Barbados Police Force is still using it’s website as a business card, rather than as an effective tool to communicate with, educate and influence Bajans.
We do admire and respect our police. A better website could only assist them with their difficult and under-appreciated job.
10 Comments
March 1, 2006 at 3:05 am
Let me start by saying I commend the BPF for setting up the site. However, I would like to know what was/is its primary purpose. It seems as though they had good intentions when they sought to develop the site; but may have started before they were ready.
Having said that, I think it would be nice if the date of post was made available so that readers would know how current is the information.
March 1, 2006 at 1:16 pm
Very good points, Yvonne.
The BPF (Barbados Police Force – not BFP Barbados Free Press) like so many organisations, had someone walk into a room and say, “We need a website” without much thought about who would use it, and how it could be a valuable DAILY tool for the police force.
Perhaps they don’t need some “expert” to take the lead… I would wager that there is some ambitious young constable on the BPF who could make the website the talk of everybody with about 1 hour a day.
Think of the possibilities…
As a recruiting tool – “Day in the Life” articles about the police officers and their day to day operations. Profiles on special operations.
As a policy communication tool – to broadcast policing priorities.
As an information tool – Law resources, community based policing initiatives and coordination.
Contributing to tourism by portraying a professional image (The images – not words – would say “You are safe here – we are professionals, not some 3rd world hack police force… “)
So many many things that could be done with that website.
March 1, 2006 at 11:18 pm
I hope that at least one of the “big guns” of the BPF visit this site, BFP; read the article/comments about its organization, and act upon it.
The BPF should take a look at the BFS [Barbados Fire Service] website — http://www.fireservice.gov.bb/information/statistics.php. Maybe it would give them an inspiration to continue working on their site. [smile]
March 23, 2007 at 12:43 am
i looked at this website for the royal bahamian police and our people should look at it. this is a site for one of their island stations not even the main force site but it is pretty good.
March 23, 2007 at 12:43 am
http://www.biminipolice.com
September 29, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Thank you Mr Richards for your comments on the Royal Bahamas Police website for the island of Bimini. http://www.biminipolice.com
It is our intention to present to the public a website that offers useful information on a variety of topics that are related to policing here. We change sections of the site monthly. We also try to be as visual as possible. Again, thank you for your comments. May God continue to bless the men and women of the Royal Barbados Police and keep them from harm’s way.
May 16, 2008 at 1:54 am
and this was two years ago. now its worse. no information at all. what if people are thinking about joining the force. there is no information on the process or requirements. just a way to download some application forms.
they can use a website for so much more. so people can apply to be in the force online (if possible – maybe if they posted their process info i would know), people can make complaints or ask questions and receive answers online.
the way the site is now, there really is no need for it at all.
May 16, 2008 at 2:12 am
I noticed that the RBPF website is under construction. It has been so for almost a year now. I have it linked to a website I am affiliated with and I am disappointed when I periodically check the link to realise that the status is still the same. I believe a greater effort has to be made to keep the site going. It is an effective way to communicate locally and internationally. There should be an officer specially assigned to the upkeep of the website. I am going to enquire as to why there has been such a long delay in bringing the website into full operation.
February 24, 2009 at 4:16 am
Before the police force can think about a website, they should find out all the officers who sell drugs to the community drug lords, get rid of them and promote the ones are actually doing something good.
If Commissioner Dottin cannot even run a proper force how the hell can he run a website, does he even know it’s there?
July 9, 2009 at 7:04 pm
interesting Royal Barbados Police Force site. get the drug pusher out! that is the key issue.