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From our correspondent
Roseau, Dominica – November 06 2026 — The Barbados Police Association is advocating for a reduction in the retirement age of police officers to 55, arguing that the increasing dangers associated with modern policing make it unreasonable to expect officers to remain on active duty into their late 60s. The association’s president, Acting Assistant Superintendent Wendley Carter, said the existing pensionable retirement age of 67 was no longer appropriate given the changing nature of criminal activity and the growing threat posed by armed offenders. Speaking on Tuesday, Carter expressed concern about the physical demands placed on ageing officers, particularly when confronting younger and increasingly aggressive criminals.
Carter pointed to the significant changes in Barbados’ security environment since he entered the police service in 1985, noting that firearms were far less prevalent during his early years on the force. He said officers now face considerably greater risks while carrying out routine patrol duties, making firearm protection an increasingly necessary part of policing. He questioned the practicality of having officers approaching 68 years old engage physically with offenders in their twenties, insisting that the retirement framework must reflect the realities of frontline law enforcement. According to Carter, the Police Association has already submitted a proposal calling for an adjustment to the retirement age.
The appeal comes as the Barbadian Government prepares to implement further changes to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), including an increase in the pensionable age. During a ministerial statement in the House of Assembly on the scheme’s revitalisation, Labour Minister Colin Jordan announced that the retirement threshold would move from 67 to 67½ years in 2028 before increasing to 68 in 2034. The proposed changes are intended to strengthen the country’s social security system, although the Police Association maintains that the specific demands and occupational risks associated with law enforcement warrant a separate consideration of officers’ retirement arrangements.
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