The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE PRESIDENT of the Police Staff Association, Dwight Smith, confirmed yesterday that he was questioned by police in connection with sexual harassment claims, but declined to comment further on the matter.

Mr Smith said he did not want to comment on an active investigation other than to say: ”The police are doing their jobs, investigations continue, my reputation will speak for itself.”

However, sources close to the matter question why

Mr Smith was questioned on nominations day for the Police Staff Association about an incident that allegedly happened last year.

“They questioned him the day he was supposed to nominate. Coincidence? I think not! Everyone in the office was questioned by why are people singling him out. They did not want him to nominate because he was making waves and the powers that be did not like that,” the source said.

“They wanted him to resign and because he didn’t, they are doing this. But justice will prevail. Luckily he was still able to nominate and will be offering himself as Inspector of the executive board and then as Chairman. They are using his office to get back at him and it isn’t right. They are trying to discredit him and destroy his character, but the truth will come out.”

PSA elections are scheduled for next week.

Mr Smith has been agitating for overtime pay for officers that worked the 12-hour shift system last year.

In December, Mr Smith said his members are “concerned” that every other union and organization in the Bahamas can get their needs met by the government, but the PSA “hasn’t even been invited to the table.”

 He said it has been months with no word from the Prime Minister or the Minister of Finance over the organisation’s concerns.

The association has been calling for compensation for the officers who were on a 12-hour work day schedule. Mr Smith has also threatened to sue over reimbursement. “He was well within his rights to do so,” said Prime Minister Perry Christie on learning of his intention.

However, after months of agitating, Mr Smith said they are not getting anywhere by trying to negotiate through the proper channels. They are now tired of being patient.

“We believe that a promise is a comfort to a fool, but at least those persons have been getting some promises. We see all these headlines about double-dipping, then persons were able to get a meeting. Then there were issues with bonuses in the paper and all of a sudden people were able to get bonuses and here is the police, who did a lot of work and want compensation, and we still haven’t gotten around the table as yet, we feel as though something is very wrong with that. This is not an attack on the government or anyone, it’s just to say that we are human beings, we feel that we play a very important role in this country as police officers and when there is an issue we feel as if we encourage persons to actually sit around the table to discuss their issues instead of taking it on the street and fighting. We feel then that we ought to have an opportunity to sit around the table and talk about our issues.”

Mr Smith said if they do not get a meeting with the government before this month, they will take legal action.