Newly appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ian Branch, is very clear on where his focus will be.
Branch, 62, told Nation News it would be to “continue the fight against crime, primarily matters involving the use of firearms”.
He is a 43-year veteran of the Barbados Police Service, and prior to this, was in charge of territorial policing, holding responsibility for all police stations on the island, except the Criminal Investigations Department.
The appointment will take effect from Tuesday, March 15.
A short ceremony was held on Friday in the boardroom at Police Headquarters in Roebuck Street, St Michael.
Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce presented the Letter of Appointment, and it was witnessed by Deputy Commissioner Erwin Boyce; Deputy Commissioner (Ag) William Yearwood; Assistant Commissioners Sylvester Louis and Antonio Forte; and Assistant Commissioners (Ag) John Maxwell and David Griffith. They all congratulated Branch on his promotion.
The post of Deputy Commissioner became vacant with the recent retirement of Oral Williams.
The Barbados Police Service has two Deputy Commissioners – one with responsibility for Admin and Human Resource matters and the second for Crime and Operations. The Commissioner will determine who holds the respective portfolios. (PR/SAT)