The Barbados Police Service will be led by a woman for the first time in its 191-year history, as acting Deputy Commissioner Sonia Boyce assumes command on Friday, following the retirement of Commissioner Richard Boyce after 46 years of service.

The transition was marked by a ceremony at Police Headquarters on Roebuck Street, on Thursday, which also signalled the simultaneous departure of Deputy Commissioner Ian Branch after 47 years in the force, ending a combined 93 years of policing experience at the top level.

In a symbolic passing of the baton in the headquarters’ boardroom, outgoing Commissioner Boyce expressed confidence in his namesake successor while underscoring the continuity of the police service’s mission. The two Boyces are not related.