It has been a puzzlement for many why the simple task of issuing a Police Certificate of Character has proved challenging through the years. It makes one question the competence of our men in ‘blue’ knowing that this agency is responsible for maintaining public order and safety, enforcing the law, and preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal activities.
The inability (incompetence) of the police force to execute on the routine task of issuing a police certificate translates to hundreds of ordinary Barbadians unable to apply for jobs because a certificate of character is not an optional requirement.
This routine but important task will continue to be nettlesome for ordinary Barbadians because ‘bigups’ can secure certificates through the backdoor or have this requirement waved with the stroke of a pen. Two Barbadoses!
Let us not forget the inability to efficiently issue a Police Certificate of Character is a symptom of a dysfunction society.
The following article has become very familiar to Barbadians, In fact, the public has become numb to this and other problems, Another symptom of a passive people.
Character certs hindering jobs
The Police Certificate of Character Office has been closed to the public since last week. (Picture by Jameel Springer.)
The closure of the Police Certificate of Character Office is causing headaches for several Barbadians, in some cases hindering them from finding work.
And what is adding to their woes is that no one seems to know when it will be reopened
Cruising Island Musicians is contemplating its next move after being unable to get the certificate for ten musicians.
Stephen Cox, one of the managing partners, said the company recruited musicians from all over the world to work on cruise ships.
“Currently, I have ten crew members from Barbados who have been offered contracts to work on board cruise ships to start in three weeks. They made the appointments, which were confirmed, and they went, only to be told that the Police Certificate of Character Office is closed until further notice,” he said.
When contacted on Tuesday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce said they were encountering system problems, but were working assiduously to have them rectified as soon as possible. He asked the public to bear with them.
“Everything has gone computerised now, so we’re working on everything. One thing leads into the next; it is not a one-off operation you have to do. It is a holistic operation that involves different steps. Even if you try to correct one [issue], another step has to go which is not functioning correctly; so that is the problem. We hope to get it resolved any minute now,” he said.
Nation newspaper (13 September 2019)
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