Polygraphs to be used

Police officers seeking to become detectives in the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) will have to undergo a polygraph examination.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ag)-Crime, Colvin Bishop told the media that having to do this test is not new but the Department “intends to do it more frequently to ensure to the public that we give you the best police officers.”

He further said they don’t “suspect that there is anything wrong with police officers going into the CID but we want to ensure that we give you the best service possible, to ensure that those persons we place there are some of the best that we have in the Royal Barbados Police Force and we don’t have to look over our shoulders.”

Bishop spoke to the media on the side-lines of Friday’s Graduation and Closing Ceremony for the Basic Criminal Investigation Course at the Regional Police Training Centre.

While addressing the Ceremony, he revealed that every police officer at some point may have to take the test.

“Those of you who now have completed this course and are endeavouring to become detectives will have to undergo a truth verification test. That is to undergo a polygraph examination to satisfy the Administration that you can operate in the area of the Criminal Investigation Department. As a matter of fact, all police officers at some point may have to undergo such a test.”

In his remarks, Bishop also reminded the 21 participants of the Force’s core values such as to “strive to be honourable and trustworthy in your personal and professional endeavours.” He additionally told the graduates “there is no room for corruption in your profession as a police officer and I am seeking to impress upon you that if you are caught in any manner of corruption you will be dealt with in accordance with the Code of Discipline, and eventually end up before the Law Courts.”