Minister of National Security Marvin Dames at Monday's ceremony for the first cohort to complete the first phase of the Georgia International Law Enforcement Leadership Programme. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune staff
By MORGAN ADDERLEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
madderley@tribunemedia.net
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames said yesterday he is “all about gender equality” adding he looks forward to the day a woman could one day “take the helm” of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. However, Mr Dames could not speak to whether a woman is currently in the running for the position of RBPF deputy commissioner.
The National Security Minister made these comments on the sidelines of a ceremony at police headquarters, as he addressed both women in the force and the line of succession of law enforcement agencies.
On May 2, the RBPF announced former Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle was appointed to the position of acting deputy commissioner of police. Acting Deputy Commissioner Rolle, who has served on the force for 36 years, was made head of the Anti-Corruption Unit of the RBPF in 2017, leading investigations into high-profile corruption allegations.
When asked who will lead the unit in the wake of ADC Rolle’s promotion, Mr Dames underscored the importance of succession planning. “Well this is what succession planning is all about,” Mr Dames said. “So this will be an ongoing process. We talked about building capacity, we talked about building a robust succession planning model for our agencies. We have competent officers in uniform on the [RBPF] who are more than capable of assuming these positions. We just have to work to prepare more to bring others up to that level.”
Mr Dames added he spent more than two decades on the police force, eventually serving as deputy commissioner himself before leaving the force.
“They had to find another one,” he said. “Life goes on.”
When asked how soon it will be before there is a female commissioner or deputy commissioner, Mr Dames replied: “Well I hope soon.”
“We have to prepare everybody,” he continued. “And may the best person win. And so, gender equality - listen, I grew up in a household where there were 12 of us. Eight girls, four boys. So I’m all about gender equality. We have some fine women officers in these agencies. And I look forward to the day that one of them could possibly take the helm.
“Of course, we’re working towards that. We’re looking for the brightest and the best. And if the brightest and the best is a female, more power.”
However, when asked if a woman is a contender for the post of deputy commissioner, Mr Dames said: “I don’t know. I don’t have the answer to that right now.”
Editorial View - Page 4
Comments
joeblow 5 years, 7 months ago
It would be nice just to have someone competent for a change!
John 5 years, 7 months ago
When you wanna see the level of corruption in this country go to traffic court and watch the bald head prosecutor giving the police witnesses hand signals while the magistrate watching the two of them and ainn doing nuttin But it’s da people’s time corruption still
John 5 years, 7 months ago
Dumb ness if you say there is gender equality then wat difference should it make if a male or female running the force? Dumb stuff
ashley14 5 years, 7 months ago
Your right! I believe behind every strong man is a strong woman. We’re not second class citizens, but military jobs and politics I just don’t know. Even women on the police force certainly can do the job, but God didn’t give us the strength of men. Certainly there are exceptions.
ashley14 5 years, 7 months ago
I would like to add something that I hope you would understand. The Bible says that the man is the head of the house. This is true, it doesn’t mean that the man is controlling. In a perfect relationship the man loves his wife so much that he runs the finances and the house with love and compassion. In return the woman supports her husband with respect, love and compassion. It doesn’t mean the husband does anything he wants while the wife is at home taking care of the kids and house. We both need to be the others soft place to fall.
Chucky 5 years, 7 months ago
throw your bible in the garbage, it's old junk written by people from 2000 years ago who thought witches were real, and the weather was controlled by weather gods, and the earth was flat. It's kinda outdated dogma. Anything done for religious reasons means more if its truly worth doing, and is done because you believe in it, rather than because "the bible says so". The bible as a source for morals is one thing, but if its your only excuse for doing something your are an unguided sole!
joeblow 5 years, 7 months ago
... guessing you are unfamiliar with its prophetic, archaeological and historical insights?
Chucky 5 years, 7 months ago
What a backwards comment. Why would any thinking person suggest they look forward to any particular gender filling any particular role; how about looking forward to having the most qualified person, and given the role mentioned why not also hope for an honest hardworking and not politically motivated person.
Hoping for a particular gender is a fools comment
tetelestai 5 years, 7 months ago
...sigh...ok, I will bite. I guess you missed the part where Dames clearly said, "may the best person win." Sure doesn't sound to me that he is suggesting that someone other than the most qualified person gets the job. But, go ahead, Chucky, continue to with your angry and illogical monologue.
Chucky 5 years, 7 months ago
What a backwards comment. Why would any thinking person suggest they look forward to any particular gender filling any particular role; how about looking forward to having the most qualified person, and given the role mentioned why not also hope for an honest hardworking and not politically motivated person.
Hoping for a particular gender is a fools comment
Gender equality means the door is open for all to compete for the opportunity. Gender equality does not equate to equal representation in outcome, I.e. same number of women as men in every profession regardless of skill or experience.
This politically correct garbage will lead to our downfall if not kept in check.
OriginalBey 5 years, 7 months ago
Well said!
bogart 5 years, 7 months ago
VERY GOOD..Chucky....ya picked up on that...that smaller numbers of females...should be just as good or if better..and likely highly superiority skills clawed doubly hard working upwards........but seems there are Godfathers or alliances ...cliques..something there...within males.....affects all these decades females having the top spot......or even close to the top spot.......
tetelestai 5 years, 7 months ago
Umm, he does say that, Chucky. Read the third to the last paragraph.
hrysippus 5 years, 7 months ago
A women for COP? Great idea, women in this country are way more qualified and hardworking than the men are. A generalization but true. A women will also strive harder to prove herself against the pervasive gender prejudices.
bahamianson 5 years, 7 months ago
Once again Joe Blow, you are on a roll! Whoever is competent to get the job done should be considered, simple.I guess he will be able to sleep better if it were the case.
ashley14 5 years, 7 months ago
Yeah me too
John 5 years, 7 months ago
So is there any females in the 28 candidates vying for the presidential race thus far? Or has Trump blown them all away.
John 5 years, 7 months ago
They claim the fatherless homes contribute to crime but yet they want a female in charge of the police force. May God have mercy on us again!
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