The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) is again warning against granting soldiers powers of arrest, calling it a “dangerous precedent” as joint training begins for members of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) and the Police Service.
The inaugural course, launched this week, is part of government’s implementation of the Police (Amendment) Act 2025 — a controversial law that allows BDF personnel to assist police in maintaining law and order.
CTUSAB General Secretary Dennis de Peiza, speaking to Barbados TODAY, said the organisation’s position remains unchanged since it first raised concerns earlier this year about the implications of expanding police powers to the military.
“If you are opposed to something that is not in the remit of the law, how could you then turn around and tell me anything about training?” de Peiza asked. “Any time you empower the Defence [Force] in policing, you change the whole idea of what policing is about. You are giving soldiers now the powers to arrest people. That, to my mind, is creating a dangerous precedent in any state.”
He cautioned that blurring the lines between military and police duties could have serious consequences.
“You have seen all over the world where soldiers got involved in police business,” he said. “There has always been a separation for a purpose. You can’t do something that is wrong and expect somebody to support it. As long as soldiers have the power to arrest civilians, we are going down the wrong road.”
De Peiza argued that the existing law already clearly defines the separate functions of both forces. Under the Police Act, he noted, the responsibility for maintaining law and order lies solely with the Police Service.
“Keep the separation of powers… maintain the status quo,” he said. “Police are trained to police, with the powers to arrest and investigate. Soldiers are trained to kill; they’re trained to secure the country and in that, they have a power to shoot for a purpose. Therefore, let them do what they’re supposed to do and let the police do what they’re supposed to do. There’s no compromising on that.”
The union leader also challenged the government’s justification that soldiers are being called in to bolster law enforcement amid growing concerns about violent crime, particularly involving young people and gun-related offences.
“If you are short on policemen, go and get policemen,” he said. “We are talking about opening doors to Caribbean nationals, freedom of movement: seek policemen. But don’t ever try to compromise the whole process by trying to justify a means to an end… and that’s what we’re doing.”
Over the past year, Barbados has seen a rise in serious crimes, including armed robberies, murders, and gang-related incidents involving young men. Public anxiety over national security has prompted calls for stronger measures, with government officials defending the involvement of soldiers as necessary in the face of rising criminal activity.
However, de Peiza warned that short-term security gains should not come at the expense of democratic norms. (SB)
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