By CHESTER ROBARDS
Tribune Senior Reporter
crobards@tribunemedia.net
POLICE officers who are found guilty of brutality will be reprimanded, says Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade.
But unsubstantiated allegations of brutality will discourage officers from doing their duties, he believes.
Mr Greenslade said he has been bothered by what he sees as the public's willingness to accept claims of police brutality without knowing the facts.
"When we castigate hard working men and women of the police force without evidence, that bothers me as a commissioner," he said. "I'm a little disturbed. You are discouraging officers and I'm worried about that."
The commissioner spoke to The Tribune on Saturday, the day after an official coroner's report said 22-year-old Tyrone 'TJ' Saunders died of a heart attack while in police custody at the Central Detective Unit just over a week ago.
Speaking after the findings were made public, his mother, Joan McKenzie, told The Tribune: "How does a young and vibrant man, very much in good health, die like that?"
Mr Greenslade said the public seemed susceptible to claims about police brutality and warned such claims could hurt the morale of the good, hardworking officers who are on the streets when residents are 'in their beds.'
He said if officers were found to be guilty of misconduct, they were reprimanded and sometimes imprisoned.
"I'm not saying that any officer should be above the law, but I am worried about allegations. We are picking up people with checkered criminal histories," said Mr Greenslade.
"I don't point fingers at members of the public and I'm asking that they don't point fingers at officers."
He said cameras had been placed in interrogation rooms in Grand Bahama and the Central Detective Unit would soon be outfitted with cameras as well.
"If there is culpability we will bring charges," said Mr Greenslade.
Comments
positiveinput 12 years, 4 months ago
Why comment cameras would soon be placed in interrogation rooms. The young man that died in custody was found in his 'cell' unresponsive. He never made it to the interrogation room so what benefit any future incident has with cameras being installed unless the hallways to the holding cell obtain cameras also. Again may I stress yes we want the criminals off the streets, but in a manner that is respected by the publc.
JohnBrown 12 years, 4 months ago
If the prevailing attitude amongst policemen is to simply beat the living crap out of a suspect...as a form of practice in the application of certain choke holds and as a way of sending a message to crimnals at large, that the general public has every right - especially where the evidence against such police criminals are conveniently swepted away by their fraternal members - to make such strong alligations.
Additionally, if justice, which is hardly ever served in such cases happens by pure luck, that officer and his cohort should be beaten with the cat o' nine tail mercilessly. Finally, If policemen chose to be demotivated because of the concerns of the public, then they in response to such unprofessional attitudes should resign immediately or Mr Greenslade should have the integrity to fire them outright. Otherwise both their chief cheerleader and those free loading well paid criminal policemen of the system need to shut their mouths up and keep them shut.The first law of ecology dictates that there is no free lunch.
henny 12 years, 4 months ago
I don't believe a police officer should beat a prisoner. I think they should be dealt with and dismissed from the force. I do believe some of those in custody are well deserving to be beat and most likely antognized the officer. There are too many men crying "beaten by cops". There are 2 sides to the story. As for Tyrone Saunders having a heart attack, it could very well be true. You read about young guys/girls who seemed otherwise healthy collapsing and dying from heart failure. I can understand his mother's feelings but it does happen. When you choose to live in the crime world you have to be prepared for most anything. I see a few young teenage neighborhood boys who are into petty crime and if they don't turn their life around now it may just be too late for them one day. Police know who they are just haven't caught them redhanded as yet. I praise commissioner Greenslade for the job he is doing. It is not an easy one.
jstubbs 12 years, 4 months ago
*Yes Greenslade is doing an excellent job hats of to him and the Police officers. Would I have seen some mothers know that their sons are not working they bring stolen goods into the homes and except them.Greenslade it is time to arrest the mothers that know their house have stolen goods in it.The mothers goes to church to have the Holy Spirit and come back home to watch someone else flate screen tv.When you watch the news there is always a cry( my good son).
JohnBrown 12 years, 4 months ago
If the prevailing attitude amongst policemen is to simply beat the living crap out of a suspect...as a form of practice in the application of certain choke holds and as a way of sending a message to crimnals at large, then the general public has every right - especially where the evidence against such police criminals are conveniently swepted away by their fraternal members - to make such strong alligations.
Additionally, if justice, which is hardly ever served in such cases happens by pure luck, that officer and his cohort should be beaten with the cat o' nine tail mercilessly. Finally, If policemen chose to be demotivated because of the concerns of the public, then they in response to such unprofessional attitudes should resign immediately or Mr Greenslade should have the integrity to fire them outright. Otherwise both their chief cheerleader and those free loading well paid criminal policemen of the system need to shut their mouths up and keep them shut.The first law of ecology dictates that there is no free lunch.
JohnBrown 12 years, 4 months ago
I ask this question to a number of pompus Mr Greenslade agrandising commentors on this website, have you ever stooped down and tried to raise up or guide one young person - one you obviously saw had talent, who was not a member of your immediate family? Did you dare to offer a broderline individual a job or did you stand back and scornefully pass judgement on him? Did you not say in your heart with a chuckle I know that he will end up in Fox Hill? Did you ever thing that in a few years that same person might be found coming inside your window to releave you of your property or your life? Do you not realize that a liar is a theif and a theif is a murderer when caught in the act? One of you said that you have seen some mother who knew their son is not working but still allowed him to bring a flat screen TV in her house. That was a mean-spirited comment that should have been stricken because it trivializes and pokes fun at the force of a mother's love and desre to protect, though she might well oppose crime in her heart, but when it comes to her baby she does not supports police brutality, nor does she support an opportunity-less system, or a system which is bent on the expansion of crime so as to provide more job security for policemen while systematically increase the numbers of police on the force. We are almost living a police/military state as true copy cats of America. If the truth be told, there is no need for more police until the batch that is here has cleaned up Nassau or died trying. That's what they signed on for tho give their lives for our protection Alternately, I offered the Agricultural Chain Gang as a way of cleaning up Nassau, but clearly forcing criminals - police or non police - to be shakeled and made to do hard farm work on long sentences in outislands might be more effective, but not as much fun as playing Wild Wild West shoot 'em up cow boys and indians games with a badge and a gun. Where is our Bahamas government's fishing fleet and fish hatcheries that would give an opportunity, a chance, to non-book-worm, honest young Bahamian men? Time is running out.
JohnBrown 12 years, 4 months ago
I ask this question to a number of pompous Mr Greenslade aggrandising commenters on this website, have you ever stooped down and tried to raise up or guide one young person - one you obviously saw had talent, who was not a member of your immediate family? Did you dare to offer a borderline individual a job or did you stand back and scornfully pass judgement on him? Did you not say in your heart with a chuckle I know that he will end up in Fox Hill? Did you ever thing that in a few years that same person might be found coming inside your window to relive you of your property or your life? Do you not realize that a liar is a thief and a thief is a murderer when caught in the act? One of you said that you have seen some mother who knew their son is not working but still allowed him to bring a flat screen TV in her house. That was a mean-spirited comment that should have been stricken because it trivializes and pokes fun at the force of a mother's love and desire to protect, though she might well oppose crime in her heart, but when it comes to her baby she does not supports police brutality, nor does she support an opportunity-less system, or a system which is bent on the expansion of crime so as to provide more job security for policemen while systematically increase the numbers of police on the force. We are almost living a police/military state as true copy cats of America. If the truth be told, there is no need for more police until the batch that is here has cleaned up Nassau or died trying. That's what they signed on for to give their lives for our protection Alternately, I offered the Agricultural Chain Gang as a way of cleaning up Nassau, but clearly forcing criminals - police or non police - to be shackled and made to do hard farm work on long sentences in out islands might be more effective, but not as much fun as playing Wild Wild West shoot 'em up cow boys and Indians games with a badge and a gun. Where is our Bahamas government's fishing fleet and fish hatcheries that would give an opportunity, a chance, to non-book-worm, honest young Bahamian men? Time is running out.
John 12 years, 4 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
stan242 11 years, 8 months ago
greenslade full a hot sh@T ALL HE DOIN IS TAKEN UP FOR THEM NO GOOD COPS DEY ANIT KILL DA RITE PERSON YET DAS ALL MESS WIT MY PPL AN I SWEAR I WILL KILL COUPLE COPS DONT MATTER WHO IT IS SOME ONE GA FEEL THEN I GOIN BACK YARD N CHILL OUT THE BEST POLICE IS A DEAD ONE TRUST ME
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