Gonsalves spoke on the issue during a ceremony held at the Coast Base at Calliaqua to mark the official hand-over of a donation from the US government, as part of the Secure Seas Initiative.

The donation, valued at about US$2 million, comprised of two Interceptor vessels; one pickup truck; two trailers and spares. It was handed over by the US ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Larry Palmer.

The prime minister said that, over the last eleven years, the government has placed tremendous emphasis on training police men and women.

Gonsalves also said the police are being trained in a wide array of disciplines, to ensure that they are able to develop a clearer understanding of the various types of criminal activity.