The Tribune

By ADRIAN GIBSON

ajbahama@hotmail.com

THESE days, a number of bull-headed police officers are abusing their authority and adopting a grossly misguided perception that because they wear a uniform and carry a badge, they are above the law. I, like many other Bahamians, can attest to the disrepute brought to the force by belligerent and ill-mannered officers, even though many more are well-meaning officers intent on cultivating an atmosphere of service and respect while maintaining a first-rate and commendable detection record.

Moreover, throughout the social spectrum, there are stories about corrupt cops who accept bribes, purposely fail to show up relative to complaints or crime scenes and/or fail to file reports on cases involving friends, family or someone willing to pay for their silence, intentionally choosing to frustrate the administration of justice rather than adhering to their sworn oath to serve and protect. I have been told of fiendish officers who engage in racketeering and are paid off by persons such as illegal number house operators to foil raids or alert them of potential police activity.

Some time ago, a former police sergeant—who is of Haitian descent—told me of policemen who pick up illegal Haitians, “tax” them and then release them knowing that because of their illegal status, they would not report the crime. He told me of a Haitian youngster who was robbed of his earnings—$1,500—after he had worked for days/nights on a construction site. Apparently, the young man (a neighbour who had complained to him) was arrested, searched and placed in a jail cell and subsequently given the option of either being held, reported to immigration authorities and deported or being released whilst losing his $1,500 pay. He chose the latter and in doing so was unable to pay his rent, buy food or even catch a bus to work.

What’s more, this retired policeman also spoke of officers who raid Haitian villages and rip-off residents or even rob Haitians of funds gained during their Sunday afternoon cockfights.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force has become too politicized (whether PLP or FNM). The promotion exercises have seemingly been usurped by politicians and in some cases hardly appear to be on the basis of meritorious performances, but rather on tribalist beliefs and the propping up second-rate officers who are politically connected or outright nepotists.

Years ago, when persons such as former Deputy Commissioner Marvin Dames and Deputy Commissioner Quinn McCartney joined the force, there was a concerted thrust to attract bright minds via incentivized approaches such as the promotion of such persons—with college degrees and upon police training—to the rank of Inspector. These days, such allurements are non-existent and many of the best minds and most talented citizens would shun joining the police force. I think that the Ministry of National Security, in remodelling the police force into a first-rate service-oriented body, should re-institute such recruitment incentives. I have no doubt that my former law lecturer and family, Minister of National Security Keith Bell will see the merit in what I am suggesting.

In the past, I spoke to a few disillusioned officers who were overlooked for promotions no matter “how hard they worked”; some even claimed that after training junior officers they soon found themselves outranked because a supervisor “had them in (dislike)” or they did not “lie down on their bellies/backs (referring speculation that certain high-ranking officers are either homosexuals or constantly pursuing young, female officers for sex).” These officers also asserted that there’s an atmosphere of low morale in certain departments and spoke of a distrustful public who have, in some instances, been so mistreated by certain dishonourable officers that they are hardly able to distinguish the bad apples from the good.

As former Police Commissioner Paul Farquharson once suggested, officers accused of misconduct should be marched before the courts and not sheltered by the in-house activities of the police tribunal.

Frankly, it appears that only a handful of officers are indicted and, even more, that over the years some case files have deliberately been lost or selectively prosecuted, depending on a person’s social stature.

For some time, members of the public and some officers have called for independent—even civilian—oversight and review boards, which aren’t primarily comprised of police officers to assist with nonpartisan promotional exercises, follow-up on complaints of police misconduct and carry out internal investigations. These oversight boards should report directly to Parliament!

The recruitment and hiring of police officers has also been called into question, particularly since some potential recruits allegedly fail to pass the entrance exams but yet are employed—many times through their MP’s persistence. Frankly, respectable high-ranking officers have told me that the entrance exam for new recruits has been “tragically dumbed down” to accommodate failing high school graduates—particularly males—who have an interest in joining the force (persons who they claim can hardly spell their own names). Furthermore, the vetting process is allegedly flawed, with several persons allegedly with criminal records and a history of gang banging, being licensed to carry a firearm and to wear the uniform after slipping through the purported fractures in the selection process. A former policeman recently claimed in an interview that I would be surprised “how many young officers actually smoke dope and steal money, just like street thugs.”

A few years ago, a now convicted drug dealer allegedly offered a $15,000 bribe to a police officer and was assisted in vanishing from his prison cell, only to be replaced by his son. With officers purportedly discarding their pledge of integrity and loyalty and abandoning their oath to serve and protect for 30 pieces of silver, who will keep us safe? Is there any wonder why the criminal element feels emboldened?

In early 2008, social activist Rodney Moncur addressed corruption in law enforcement, declaring his belief that “corruption is rife in the police force.”

Mr Moncur said: “It had been alleged—by trustworthy sources in the know—that certain police officers have guarded the beach side estates of certain drug dealers. Several of these suspected officers—especially some senior men—should be pulled before a Commission of Inquiry, whereby their bank accounts and land holdings could be examined. If the salary doesn’t match the lifestyle, then is there any question as to what may be going on?

“Just look at the disappearance of some 50 kilos of cocaine that was on the Lorequin and the poor investigation that followed. The 1984 Commission of Inquiry revealed much about corruption. If established politicians could easily fall for drug money, unless a young police or defence force officer is strong and from a solid family, he won’t be able to resist the drug culture. And we all know that the family structure today is broken!” said Mr Moncur.

In August 2007, the Bahama Journal reported that an investigation into a “slew of allegations made against a senior officer accused of involvement in systematic and widespread corruption and the most egregious breaches of ethics” had been completed.

The high-ranking officer—Superintendent George Mortimer—was accused of shaking down persons, overseeing a protection racket and losing important files for a fee. The investigation commenced following a letter sent to the then police commissioner and the press supposedly from the “loyal officers of the North Eastern Division of the police force” who suggested that Mr Mortimer’s alleged misconduct had damaged the standing of the police force.

At a 2007 press conference, now Assistant Commissioner Hulan Hanna reported that the investigation into the allegations against Mr Mortimer had concluded; I’m not certain as to whether there has been a follow-up report.

At that time, Mr Hanna claimed that the file had been sent to both the Police Services Commission (PSC) and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), but what recommendations were made relative to what should have happened? What directives were given by the PSC and the OAG to the Commissioner concerning this officer? Did the investigations recommend that charges be brought against the Superintendent and if so, have those charges been filed? And, what is that officer’s current employment status with the police force?

In 2007, it was reported that the body of slain fashion designer Harl Taylor was discovered by a police officer. What has happened to the officer that discovered the body and was he in the vicinity of Taylor’s Mountbatten house for any specific reason?

Moreover, what progress has been made into the armed robbery of a numbers house—an undertaking that purportedly involved a police officer? Undoubtedly, the public would like a progress report.

Indeed, while there are rogue officers in all arms of local law enforcement who employ shady/bully tactics, these thorns must be weeded out before they ruin and totally discredit these agencies in the eyes of a more informed, discerning public.