The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said he has no intention of publicly addressing the “intimate workings” of the Royal Bahamas Police Force as questions about his decision to transfer members of the Police Staff Association linger.

Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, Mr Greenslade brushed off concerns raised by both Free National Movement Senator Michael Pintard and PSA Chairman Dwight Smith this week.

Mr Pintard said the “abrupt” move made by Mr Greenslade last week could be interpreted as an act to “silence persons who are asking legitimate questions about the working conditions of officers.”

“I do not intend to discuss the intimate workings of the police force,” Mr Greenslade said in response to questions from The Tribune.

He added: “We are busy dealing with crime and criminality.”

On Wednesday, Mr Smith said members of the PSA were abruptly reassigned without warning last week.

He said Commissioner Greenslade informed him that due to high levels of crime, the force needed “all hands on deck.”

“I asked the commissioner if it would be possible for the officers to be placed back under the PSA office at some point.

“He said he couldn’t address that at the moment.

“I am not trying to cause confusion or mistake his reasoning but questions are going to be raised about the timing of this decision,” added Mr Smith.

Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the government should pay overtime to police officers who worked a 12-hour shift in late 2013 or give them the equivalent time in days off.

That ruling was hailed as a “hollow judgment” by State Minister for

National Security Keith Bell, a former police officer.

Mr Bell has indicated that the government has plans to appeal the decision.