A new partnership between The University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus and The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) has resulted in the graduation of the first group of police officers to complete a formal Crime Scene Investigators Workshop, an initiative aimed at strengthening forensic investigation skills and evidence-based policing in Barbados.
According to UWI, the inaugural cohort included 19 police constables and sergeants, who successfully completed the Basic Crime Scene Investigation and Management course at the Regional Police Training Centre (RPTC). The programme was delivered by the Forensic Scenes of Crime Unit of the Barbados Police Service in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Reportedly, during the workshop, participants received both classroom instruction and practical training in crime scene management, preserving and documenting evidence, evidence collection, collision investigations, fingerprint development, DNA and biological evidence, forensic photography, electronic evidence, ballistics and courtroom presentation.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony on Friday, July 17, Deputy Commissioner of Police Adrian Broomes described the programme as an important milestone.
“This year’s training course is the third on this topic, but it marks a significant historic milestone because it is the first formal collaboration with The UWI Global Campus.”
He said the collaboration reflects the Barbados Police Service’s ongoing commitment to preparing investigators for the demands of modern policing.
“By aligning ourselves with The UWI Global Campus, we affirm that policing is not simply a vocation. It is a profession grounded in knowledge, ethics and continuous development.”
The UWI stated that Ryan H. Byer, Head of Site for The UWI Global Campus, Barbados, said the partnership is an important step toward formally accrediting training offered through the Regional Police Training Centre while supporting The UWI’s “Triple A” Strategic Plan of Access, Alignment and Agility. He added that the initiative demonstrates the university’s commitment to delivering education that responds to the needs of both the country and the wider region.
Byer also encouraged the Barbados Police Service to continue building on the partnership by exploring additional professional development opportunities through The UWI Global Campus, including online certificate programmes in Community-Based Policing, Criminology, Counselling, Supervisory Management and Psy
chology.
He also recognised the work of the Regional Police Training Centre team, led by Commandant Rodney Archer, Deputy Commandant Lawrence Collymore and course coordinator Sergeant Mauricio Chase, for helping make the programme a success.
Graduates said the training increased their confidence and strengthened their ability to manage crime scenes using recognised professional standards. Sergeant Roz’ Marie Ward-Waterman, a previous UWI graduate who received the Best Overall Student award, said, “such a distinguished achievement [of being inducted into The UWI Global Campus] will not only add value and a core of professionalism to the Barbados Police Service through each participant of the Basic Crime Scene Investigation and Management Course, but it is the foundation that will usher The Barbados Police Service into a more sapient driven atmosphere.”
Organizers indicated that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving investigative standards, expanding professional education and ensuring police officers have the knowledge, practical skills and recognised qualifications needed to preserve evidence effectively and support the administration of justice.
