The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service plans to nearly double its community policing unit from 19 to 36 officers.
However, it faces funding and recruitment challenges, Acting Deputy Governor Gloria McField-Nixon told the Parliament of the Cayman Islands during its 27 June sitting.
Roy Tatum, representative for Red Bay, asked whether the police commissioner intended to strengthen and enhance the operational capacity of the Community Policing Department.
McField-Nixon confirmed that in alignment with national priorities and the strategic objectives of the police service, he “fully intends” to do so.
The acting deputy governor said the total number of community officers who are currently deployed is 19.
“We have eight officers in George Town district, four in the West Bay district, six across the eastern districts, Bodden Town, Northside, and East End, and one officer in the Sister Islands,” she said.
She explained expansion plans, noting: “The desired strength of the community policing unit is to get to 36 officers, which would require a net increase of 17 positions.”
Resource constraints identified
McField-Nixon said this commitment is balanced against several “critical resourcing challenges” including funding constraints that have impacted the ability to scale operations at pace.
“While there is strong political and organisational will to grow this capability, the RCIPS continues to operate within a tightly managed budget requiring careful prioritisation of personnel, training, and infrastructure investments,” she said.
Additional challenges include recruitment and retention constraints.
“There is growing competition for skilled officers locally, regionally, and internationally, and the RCIPS is not immune to workforce pressures and attrition,” the acting deputy governor said.
She also cited training and capability gaps, adding: “Ensuring that community officers are not only present but fully equipped and trained in conflict resolution, youth engagement, and culturally sensitive practices remains a strategic priority.”
Rising public expectations
The acting deputy governor said there is rising demand for visibility and public trust.
“Public expectation for visible policing and responsiveness continues to grow, particularly in response to recent spikes in antisocial behaviour, drug-related crime, and domestic incidents,” she said.
Despite constraints, McField-Nixon said steps are already underway to undertake a comprehensive review of community policing deployment across districts.
The aim is to improve alignment with crime patterns and community needs, and integrate community teams into broader problem-solving partnerships with education, social services and youth empowerment to address root causes of crime and disorder.
In addition, to expand training in preventative policing, safeguarding and vulnerable persons engagement as part of a more intelligence-led and community-empowered model.
She added that the commissioner has established a small internal project team that is actively engaging with the portfolio of the civil service.
It will explore workforce development pathways, including targeted recruitment, succession planning and better use of community safety officers, interns and volunteers.
Funding discussions
Questions arose about police funding, with the deputy opposition leader asking about substantial sums approved by Cabinet.
McField-Nixon clarified that the police service had received prior approval of CI$1.9 million.
She added: “There is additional funding for the hiring of additional officers… but that is still an internal process. There has been no determination on that matter.”
When pressed about the cost of community policing expansion specifically, McField Nixon said it is about a $1.5 million investment “that we would need to be able to do that”.
Representative for Bodden Town East, Dwayne Seymour, asked about increasing cameras throughout communities following recent murders.
McField-Nixon explained that “the police will work with the Department of Public Safety and Communications… They take the lead under Home Affairs for the installation of cameras”.
She noted that the police do advise on “so-called black spots” – areas where they would like to see additional cameras placed in order to enhance public safety.
And she confirmed the commissioner is “desirous of seeing enhancements in our cameras and this will be a part of the normal working relationship to take that forward”.
McField-Nixon outlined the police service’s goals, saying it is to evolve the community policing unit into a “resilient, embedded and proactive presence in every community”.
It will be “empowered not just to respond to crime, but to prevent harm and build public confidence”, she concluded.
