Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, has warned Police Officers that misconduct in the line of them carrying out their duties could result in them being blocked from promotion.

In a recent interview, the Home Affairs Minister said her ultimate aim is to see a Police Force of integrity.

Speaking during the Starting Point podcast over the weekend, the Minister said years of service alone will not be used to justify promotions.

“The requirements for promotion are no longer because of your years of service, the standards of promotion are based on your service, disciplinary records and these things to be able to show that you are suited for leadership. I believe that if there is any infraction from any police officer it should be written up and put in their file—because ultimately that police officer wants to move up because we are also creating a pathway for a career in the police force—but that ought to not come automatically, it should come on the basis of merit,” the Minister noted.

The Minister said for this year, more Police Officers have faced the Courts that at anytime before, pointing to the rise of misconduct by ranks.

“The body camera investment is also a way in which we are dealing with police misconduct on the roadways, we have invested in more then 5,000 body cameras across the country, so when they are interacting with the public we can see and are able to process that interaction—that too helps, there has to be an understanding that bad behaviours and misconduct will not be rewarded, the Minister stated.

She said the story of the Police Force and the Disciplined Services should not be one of misconduct, explaining that the Force has hundreds of dedicated persons, and their dedication should not be put on the back burner because of the misconduct of others.

“I think that my greatest aim is to see the institutionalization of integrity, that regardless of, who is Minister, who is Commissioner that every police officer should conduct their job with integrity and professionalism and I believe that we are on our way there, “ the Minister noted.

The Minister said the government continues to invest heavily in police training because it believe that integrity will help to transform the society.

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