AG confident in Bill
Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite believes that there has been some misinformation circulating as it relates to the proposed Amendments to the Police Act.
Since laid in the House of Assembly, the bill has been publicly blasted by Attorney-at-Law, David Comissiong, President of the Barbados Bar Association, Liesel W. Weekes, Political Party, Solutions Barbados, among others.
Yesterday, speaking to members of the media on the side-lines of the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) Annual Force Conference 2018, Braithwaite made it clear that the police already have most of the powers in the bill.
“My understanding is that the concern has been raised by one or two commentators – the issue of the police being able to cordon off an area, etc… This does not mean that people cannot come and go about their business. It just means that within that defined area, your movement will be subject to police scrutiny – so if you come in as indicated you may be subject to search, etc. It doesn’t mean that the police can shut down the area for two days and you can’t go outside your house.
“The whole issue of stop and searches, I don’t understand why that is an issue because all we have done is put it on a firm legislative footing so that everyone knows their rights…As can happen now, warrants are executed across Barbados on a daily basis. Warrants signed by Magistrates and by Justices of the Peace. In this area, not only are police doing what they now normally do, but we have additional safeguards for the public. So, you can take out your cell phone when the police is conducting a search and videotape the search – the legislation gives the citizen that right,” he highlighted.
The AG described the comment as it relates to creating a “Police State” as unfair and stressed that government doesn’t bring legislation into parliament that is unconstitutional.
“To me it is much ado about nothing,” he expressed.
“We do the research and my mandate is to do what I believe is in the best interest of the citizens of Barbados. And whilst I am Attorney General, I will do it without fear of criticism and in particular without the noises that I am hearing from certain quarters.”
“I am confident that the additional powers given to the police is to address the issues that we have presently and in the future. That is what you need to do as a policy maker – look to the future in terms of the challenges; what other tools do we require not only physical but emotional, spiritual, legislative, etc - to ensure we remain relevant,” he added. (TL)