Police Commissioner Kurt Walton is looking to increase staffing in the RCIPS, specifically the community policing unit, in the aftermath of the 25 Feb. shooting at Ed Bush Stadium.
Responding to a parliamentary question on the community policing unit on Tuesday, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson said Walton had reviewed the unit’s vacancies and was looking at next steps to increase numbers.
He told lawmakers that Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, earlier in the day, had given assurances that the RCIPS top cop will get the resources to boost his staff as needed and all he has to do is “submit a request to the government”.
The staffing of the unit was raised by Deputy Opposition Leader Joey Hew who, through a supplementary question, asked if vacancies within the unit will be filled.
Manderson said the community policing unit is 11 short of its capacity of 34 officers.
“I can say that the idea then is to fill these vacancies that exist. As you know, the community safety officers and the community police division [are] a key component of effective policing and if the commissioner needs resources elsewhere, the government will give him the support that he needs,” Manderson said.
He noted that the commissioner was reviewing his units, which includes the community policing division, to see what resources are needed.
However, Sunday’s shooting has escalated that effort.
“[Walton] advised me that he was looking to see… ‘Where’s my priorities at the moment? So do I fill these 11 vacancies or do I look to increase my firearms unit? Do I look to increase other units within the RCIPS where there is insufficient or more urgent need?'” Manderson recalled.
The community policing unit has 23 officers spread across all three islands.
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