Caribbean Federation of Police Associations aims at uniform constitution

Member states of the Caribbean Federation of Police Associations (CFPA) are in the process of examining the constitutions of police associations around the Caribbean to formulate one document, which will serve all its members.{{more}}

At a two-day conference, which ran from January 26-27, at the Murray Heights Hotel, Kingstown, lawmen discussed several matters, including: welfare benefits, compensation, salaries, standardised working hours, health insurance, education and training of other regional officers.

The conference was held a under the theme: “Forming synergies through the region to effect modern policing in the 21st century and beyond”.

Sergeant 509 Brenton Smith of the local Constabulary told reporters that different countries have different constitutions and they are aiming to have a uniform constitution that governs all territories.

Coming out of those discussions, a select committee was set up to look at matters concerning the association. Sergeant Smith was voted president, with Michael Sobers of Barbados as vice president. Secretary is Dwight Smith of the Bahamas Police Force, and Gregory Williams of the Antigua Police Force fills the post of Treasurer.

Station Sergeant Trevor Bailey of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force told SEARCHLIGHT that many hurdles were faced during the conference, but with the combined efforts of other police officers from around the region, they are forging ahead in making things better for the Association.

Police Constable Shem Wills of the Anguilla Police Force and secretary of the Anguilla Police Welfare Association says he believes the conference is a bold and beneficial step for the countries represented at the conference.

“It bridges the gap in terms of the police welfare associations that exist currently,” he said.

Participants from Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, The Bahamas, St Lucia, Barbados, Grenada and host St Vincent and the Grenadines attended the conference.

Eleven countries make up the CFPA.(KW)