NASSAU, Bahamas (May 27, 2019) – The Hon. Marvin H. Dames, Minister of National Security opened the eighth annual Caribbean Federation of Police Welfare Associations on Monday morning at SuperClubs Breezes, Cable Beach.  The Conference runs until Wednesday, May 29.

Under the theme Making Police Welfare a Strategic Imperative for all Police Organizations in the Caribbean, the Conference brings together delegates from police associations across the region.

Minister Dames in his remarks described police officers as having one of the most important jobs in any country and outlined the concrete steps and investments made by the Government of The Bahamas to safeguard citizens and officers alike.

He said since coming to Office in 2017 the Bahamas Government has invested just under six million to increase the police fleet of vehicles; launched ShotSpotter Technology to combat gun-related crime specifically homicides which saw a 26 percent drop in 2018, a first in nearly a decade; and recently approved the purchase of Body-Worn Cameras with an initial investment of just under $694,000. 

He announced that 130 recruits recently began training this month which is in addition to the 100 police officers and 34 fire officers who graduated last year from the Police Training College.

Said Minister Dames, “Our Government understands that bringing the manpower numbers up to the level of the organization that they ought to be, will invariably reduce the stress levels on those currently serving.”

He said that a crucial aspect of protecting the welfare of officers involves training.  To date, he disclosed that close to 2,000 law enforcement officers received training locally and overseas in a broad range of law enforcement disciplines.

The National Security Minister pledged his renewed commitment to working with Associations under his remit.  He said there were many more initiatives on the way for officers underscoring that the Government of The Bahamas “is serious about the national security of our nation and that the welfare of law enforcement officers is at the top on our agenda.”   

The CFPWA was established 12 years ago in Nassau with nine Police Associations.  Today, there are 13 Police Associations that makeup the CFPWA: Antigua and Barbuda; The Bahamas, Barbados; The British Virgin Islands; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent & the Grenadines; Trinidad & Tobago and Turks & Caicos Islands.

[Photos Courtesy of Cpl. 791 Mackey]