The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

OFFICIALS at the Department of Correctional Services believe that promotions are on the way despite no confirmation by the Ministry of National Security of an announcement date.

According to sources, promotions in the department were guaranteed to follow those in the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force earlier this year.

Department of Correctional Services commissioner, Patrick P Wright, indicated at a ceremony last week marking the completion of the new recruit dormitory at Fox Hill that he expected the promotions to take place in the near future.

“To date this government, and in particular this minister (Dr Bernard Nottage), has done all and given every indication that they are very serious about improving our nation’s prison service,” he said.

“The minister assured me on more than one occasion that we in the Department of Correctional Services were right behind the others in regards to promotions.

“He said that promotions in our department would follow both the police and the defence force; that was the order that I was given and the order that I will follow. I believe that they will be coming in the near future. My minister has kept every promise he has made in terms of improving what we are doing here, so as it stands, I have no reason to doubt his words.”

Mass promotions within the RBPF took effect on October 1. Four assistant commissioners were promoted to the rank of senior assistant commissioner; three superintendents were promoted to the rank of assistant commissioner and 12 superintendents have joined the rank of chief superintendent. On December 12 the RBDF held its largest promotional exercise ever with nearly a quarter of the force affected. Among 371 promotions were Senior Commander Francis Saunders’ move to the rank of captain; Commanders Samuel Evans and Philip Clarke were promoted to captain and Warren Bain, Michael Simmons, Cheryl Bethel, Gregory Brown and Shonedel Pinder were promoted from lieutenant commander to commander.

President of the Bahamas Prison Officers Association (BPOA), Gregory Archer called the pending promotions “needed”.

He said that every day that passes without confirmation of the promotions causes him to wonder how serious the government and the Ministry of National Security are about improving the prison service.

“At our church service back in November the minister gave us all indication that our promotions were on the way,” he said. “His words were that the police would come first, the defence force would follow and then our promotions would follow. It truly makes us wonder if we are the stepchildren in National Security.”

Dr Nottage, the minister of national security, could not be reached for comment.