BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC—Attorney General Dale Marshall says Barbados will implement comprehensive security measures, including legislation allowing other law enforcement officials from Caribbean countries to support local security efforts, as the region gears up to host the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 Cricket World Cup in June.
The Visiting Police Forces Bill establishes a structured legal framework for potentially bringing in officers from other territories to support security efforts across the six host nations – Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, St. Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad. The legislation is expected to be passed in the other Caribbean countries.
“This Visiting Police Forces Bill . . . will establish the rights and obligations of visiting police forces if they’re needed. If they are needed and they come in, they are under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Police,” he said.
“We didn’t require any during the 2007 to 2010 tournaments, but it is possible, Sir, and we see that with the instability happening in the Middle East and in other places, there is a possibility of risk to us, and we have to guard against that risk,” Marshall said.
He spoke of Barbados’ extensive behind-the-scenes preparations, including specialized training for security personnel and underscoring the importance of regional cooperation. He cited a previous instance when external troops were brought in during the uprising at the Glendairy Prison in 2005 due to insufficient local police resources.
Marshall told Parliament that while the local security forces are “ready” and “fully equipped” for the major sporting event, visiting police forces will be available if needed.
He told legislators that the ‘sunset’ or temporary legislation had been introduced to back up the government’s security plans, revisiting similar laws passed for the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
“We’ve made sure that we have the best possible workforce arrangements in terms of workforce. The Barbados Defence Force and The Barbados Police Service have benefited from some significant specialized training, and that specialized training continues as I speak,” Marshall said.
Lawmakers had been presented with two bills, one of which is the ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies Bill, which grants Cricket West Indies (CWI) “full and unrestricted control” over the designated stadiums during the match period from June 1 to June 30. The other is The Visiting Police Forces Bill.
Visitors are expected to arrive here from May 15 for the tournament, and Marshall said Barbados is fully committed to delivering a secure and successful Cricket World Cup experience for all participants and spectators.
Marshall explained the CWI’s exclusive possession of the four designated stadiums during the matches: “When it comes to this kind of game, where hundreds of millions of dollars are being invested, then it stands to reason that the promoters are going to require that the host nation permits them or facilitates them to exploit the maximum benefit from the tournament.”
But he told Parliament that the arrangement does not exclude Barbadian civil authorities from carrying out their duties related to law enforcement, health, fire safety, and upholding public order within the stadiums.
“The Police Department will still have full authority. The Fire Service will still have full authority. All of our civil organizations that have a responsibility to maintain the safety and sanctity of the State and the individuals at the Cricket World Cup will have unfettered discretion and responsibility,” he said.
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