I initially did not intend to address this matter until I viewed the video. I believe we all know which video I am referring to—the one showing Mrs. Barnwell’s arrest. I approach this issue differently today, setting aside the urge to wait for the “other side of the story.”
I won’t engage in an internal debate with myself, weighing the pros and cons or right and wrong. The events in that video should raise serious concerns for many, including myself. I understand that there are varying perspectives on this issue, but I am writing this to those who may feel apprehensive after witnessing the footage. Please know that you are not alone in this sentiment.
I feel compelled to express my position clearly: The approach used by members of law enforcement is raising alarms for many of us. There appears to be a growing tendency to exercise excessive force, which seems to stem from frustration with their ability to address serious crimes in our communities. This is concerning and raises important questions about public safety, the right to free speech, and preserving our way of life.
In past experiences, we were taught to gather peacefully and respectfully, and the idea of anyone asking for personal information should not automatically escalate into a public disturbance. I saw nothing on the video to suggest the lady was causing any disturbance.
If you’ve been to Kingstown recently, you may have seen members of the Special Service Unit carrying “long guns” while on patrol. The presence of such weapons of war on our streets is alarming to me. However, we are not alone in this new phenomenon. You can visit some other Caribbean islands, especially during the tourist season, and you will see the same. Some are more visible than others. Are we at war?
As we try to improve the relationship between our police and community, a show of military might is not the way.
Most encounters with the police during their regular duty will not require force but diplomacy. So, what do they need to know? Our police need to be trained in the art of conflict resolution and how to de-escalate tension between our people and the police. Here are some key elements of de-escalating conflict that our police should consider incorporating into their training: active listening, maintaining a calm demeanor, using empathetic language, respecting personal space, offering options, speaking slowly and avoiding confrontational body language, and trying to understand the person’s perspective. For every call the police receive, the goal must be to reduce tensions and gain voluntary compliance through communication rather than force.
Unfortunately, in this video, none of these tactics were on display. Some of the things we heard on the recording were precisely the opposite. So next time, Officer, please use your words, not your muscles. Ask open-ended questions to understand the situation at hand. On that day, your actions did not show a willingness to understand the problem; in fact, it seems clear that you came to the scene to arrest someone. And that you did. I will not go on lecturing you and the rest of the police department on conflict resolution or any other basic human decency behavior. You can get that from various sources other than me, and I am not naive enough to think you will listen to me anyway.
So, I share this with our people: Do not assume that when the police show up in a situation you are involved in, they are there to resolve the issue; they are there to arrest you if you do not comply with their demands.
To those officers looking for tips to help on the job, I shared these tips with my staff some years ago. Some of them may still apply. If you’re in a situation where there’s no immediate danger, here are four essential steps to keep in mind:
- Look at the situation: Consider whether there’s any risk or if things could get out of hand.
- Stay calm: Keeping cool can help prevent the situation from worsening. Your emotions can affect how the other person behaves.
- Be patient: Give the person plenty of time to share their thoughts. Sometimes, just listening can help everyone calm down.
- Ask for help if needed: If you feel unsafe or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to call for backup.
These steps can help ensure that interactions are handled smoothly and safely.
Horatio