Press releases

Three RCIPS women in leadership positions travelled to the UK to attend the Women in Policing Conference in London. The annual conference seeks to provide current and future female leaders in the field of policing with the skills needed to achieve success in their unique positions within the traditionally male-dominated field.

Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne notes: “We are grateful to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office for facilitating this opportunity for our staff to attend this important conference. Women play invaluable roles throughout the service, and in police services around the world. The opportunity to network and gain advice and insight from women in leadership positions within police services in the UK and elsewhere will only serve to strengthen their capabilities and contributions to the police service here in Cayman.”

Deputy Chief Officer of the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Nancy Barnard; RCIPS Inspector Denise Anderson; and RCIPS Superintendent Wendy Parchment were chosen to attend the conference because of their senior roles in the service, and the various areas of the service that they represent.

The one-day Women in Policing conference took place on Wednesday, 16 November, and featured presentations on various topics such as addressing barriers to advancement, communicating effectively, leading with authenticity, raising the visibility of women as leaders within the field, and fostering positive cultural changes within the field. All three women were able to network with women in policing from various jurisdictions, sharing experiences and advice in advance of the regional Women in Policing conference early next year.

Superintendent Wendy Parchment notes: “I am elated to have engaged with several female strategic leaders within the Met Police Service where our discussions were meaningful. Visits to the various Police Stations including our meeting with female Commissioner Angela McLaren of The City of London Police Force, our twin service, gave me the reassurance of future possibilities for the women within RCIPS.”

On other days, the two police officers who attended were also given the chance to shadow officers of London’s Metropolitan Police Service in specialist roles, such as the Custody Suite and also the Control Centre, both at Charing Cross Station. The officers also attended the Network of Women where they met with senior officers who provided advice on Network formation, future aims and objectives. A special visit to Scotland Yard was also arranged. The officers attended Wapping Police Station and were given an overview of their operations including their Territorial Support Group. Both officers were privileged to learn of various types of training and equipment used on operations. The two officers also joined the Marine Team on the Thames River.

Inspector Denise Anderson adds: “I was humbled to be given the opportunity to attend the Women In Policing Conference in London. It was truly amazing to listen to the stories behind the high ranking successful women officers. It has highlighted that changes are being made in policing, however it is very slow and we need to ensure we not only equip ourselves but also encourage and motivate other women to become successful. My biggest take away was the session with Mr. Sal Naseem, Regional Director for London, Independent Office for Police Conduct and how he made it a point to understand the struggles women face in such a male-dominated organization, and things he did to help women strive.”

The group, accompanied by Project Officer Maria Stanley of the British Overseas Territories Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), also visited the Cayman Islands Government’s UK office, where they met with representative Dr. Tasha Ebanks-Garcia and assistant representative Phillippa Knights.

DCO Barnard says: “I appreciate all the FCDO has done to include the Cayman Islands on this learning opportunity, as well as Commissioner’s Byrne’s support of gender equity. As a group, we look forward to joining other police services across the British Overseas Territories, as we locally and regionally develop our own Women in Policing Networks. It is heartening to work towards offering support, understanding, and mentorship to all our female police officers and female police (civilian) staff whilst they navigate the challenges and opportunities of being a woman in policing.”

rcips - Royal Cayman Islands Police Service - For Information and Service

The inaugural meeting of the Police Service Commission will take place on Friday 5th March.  The Commission was established under section 58A of the Cayman Islands Constitution (Amendment) Order 2020 and will contribute to making the RCIPS an efficient and modern police service. One of its key roles is responsibility for overseeing the appointment of staff to the ranks of Superintendent and above.

In line with the Constitutional Amendment Order, His Excellency The Governor will chair the Commission. Two members have been approved and recommended by the Honourable Premier and one by the Honourable Leader of the Opposition.

Those attending the Police Service Commission meetings are as follows:

• HE The Governor - Chair
• Mr Richard Coles  - Member
• Mr Richard Barton - Member
• Mr Lindsey Cacho - Member
• Mr Graham Hampson - Member
• Mr Andrew Munday, UK Overseas Territories Police Adviser -  Member
• Mrs Gloria McField-Nixon, Human Resources Adviser
• Mrs Nancy Barnard, Commission Secretariat

It is anticipated that the Commission will meet twice per year but the Governor, as Chair, will call additional meetings if necessary to ensure the effective discharge of the Commission’s responsibilities. The Police Commissioner will not be a member of the PSC but it is expected that he will be invited to attend its meetings or particular sessions.

His Excellency The Governor Mr Martyn Roper said: “I very much welcome the establishment of the Police Service Commission. It will support the Police Commissioner and his senior team in the strategic direction of the RCIPS.

“It will have an important role on senior appointments and strengthen good governance, accountability and transparency. By doing so it will support and ensure public confidence is maintained in the RCIPS. 

“Our Police Commissioner continues to do an excellent job for our Islands. This Commission will provide additional support and hold him accountable for delivery of RCIPS’s strategic plan.”

Commissioner of Police Mr Derek Byrne said: “‘I warmly welcome the establishment of the Police Service Commission for the Cayman Islands which will provide independent oversight of its national police service, RCIPS, reviewing its performance, effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy. 

“I look forward to the opportunity to address the Commission to outline the vision and the planned strategic direction for the service for their input and support. 

“The RCIPS is moving through a cycle of transformation as it seeks to modernise and professionalise to meet the global and national crime threat and harm risk profiles and the rising expectations of the diverse and growing communities across the Cayman Islands.”

GOVKY - Cayman Islands Government - For Information and Service