Barbados’ top cop is assuring the nation that the country will not be intimidated or destabilized by a small cluster of armed offenders, even as the island grapples with a recent wave of gun-related violence.
Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce, speaking during a comprehensive press briefing at Police Headquarters on Thursday, said the Barbados Police Service (BPS) is intensifying its operations and has already identified the individuals driving the recent gunplay.
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“Barbados will not be held to ransom by a tiny group of violent men,” Boyce declared. “A small number of armed men must not and will not be allowed to run rampant over Barbados or intimidate the Barbados Police Service. We are coming for you.”
Boyce said the Service will show zero leniency toward anyone who carries, traffics, or uses illegal firearms.
‘Barbados is Not Under Siege’
The Commissioner pushed back against public fears that the island is spiraling out of control, emphasizing that the shootings are confined to a targeted set of feuding individuals.
“These incidents are serious, but Barbados is not under siege,” he stressed. “Barbadians must feel comfortable leaving their homes. This is not a situation of national collapse or widespread criminal takeover.”
His comments follow the brazen murder of 27-year-old Jabarry Stephen Carrington, who was shot dead in broad daylight outside Chester’s Tyre Shop in St. Michael. Two masked men on a motorcycle opened fire at close range. Minutes later, police intercepted the same motorcycle, leading to a shootout on Goodland Main Road before the suspects fled on foot. One was later discovered hiding among tombstones in Westbury Cemetery.
Firearm Seizures Highlight Intense Police Activity
Boyce outlined the BPS’s 2025 operational results, revealing the seizure of:
- 79 firearms, including AR-15s, AK-47s, MAC-11s, shotguns and pistols
- 2,754 rounds of ammunition
“These numbers reflect our aggressive posture,” Boyce said. “We are removing weapons every single month. There is no letting up.”
New Enforcement Plan for Independence and Christmas
With the holiday season approaching, a traditionally high-traffic period, the BPS is rolling out a strengthened operational strategy built on three core pillars:
- Hotspot enforcement
- Enhanced rapid-response mobility, including new motorcycle-trained units and electric bikes for dense urban zones
- Joint operations with the Barbados Defence Force
“You will see and feel a stronger police presence,” Boyce said. “We’ll be in communities, commercial districts, and nightlife corridors.”
‘Fear Is Our Biggest Enemy’
Despite recent successes, Boyce said public fear remains the greatest challenge to restoring calm.
“What is beating us now is that too many people are living in a state of fear,” he said. “But Barbadians should know that these violent acts come from a very small network of individuals, and we are on them.”
