By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said a new Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) headquarters will be constructed within the same East Street complex in New Providence where the current headquarters is located.

Mr Munroe said the new headquarters will be a multistorey building situated further west on the property. He acknowledged that the existing facility is outdated and no longer suitable for the force’s operational needs.

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis announced the project during the 2025/2026 Budget Communication in the House of Assembly last week.

Speaking to reporters on Friday at the dedication ceremony for four 41-foot safe boats for the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s Harbour Patrol Unit, Mr Munroe explained that the RBPF’s increasingly modern operations—through telecommunications and other advancements—require an upgraded facility. He said the force has outgrown the current headquarters and that the new building will support its continued growth and efficiency.

Mr Munroe also said a new fire shed is proposed for the site to house firefighting equipment allocated in the 2025/2026 Budget. The facility will include sleeping quarters for around-the-clock firefighting staff. A forensic lab is also being considered for the property, though it has not yet been confirmed.

During his budget address, Mr Davis said the government plans to procure modern fire trucks, protective gear, and specialised tools, and to construct a new fire station through a public-private partnership. This initiative follows a series of major fires across New Providence and the Family Islands this year.

Mr Munroe noted that several fire sheds already exist at police stations in New Providence. He said the Fire Chief has submitted a list of required equipment for stations on New Providence and in the Family Islands, and the government has committed to providing them.

While Mr Munroe could not provide a projected cost for the new headquarters, he said officials aim to complete the design phase by September and begin construction on the fire shed.