The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Ellison Greenslade yesterday said he was still “very upset” that a man in custody at Central Police Station last year was allowed to marry his fiancee at the station.

During a press conference at police headquarters, Mr Greenslade said if he had had the “authority to dispense justice” in that situation he would have done so already. He suggested that reporters put further questions to those who hold authority over him about the matter.

His statements were in reference to a controversial “jailhouse wedding” between a man who had been arrested for a drug charge and his fiancee.

It was reported that four officers helped facilitate the wedding after the man’s family were not able to have him released on police bail to attend his scheduled wedding.

“You will recall that when I spoke initially to members of the press and officers alike about that incident at Central, I appeared to be very distressed and very upset,” he said, responding to a question from a reporter.

“I am still very distressed, still very upset. My demeanour has not changed. If that matter was in my purview, and I had the authority to dispense justice, you would not have been asking me that question, because I would have dealt with that. I followed procedures that I must follow as a commissioner, in respect of a person who is wearing a khaki uniform at the assistant superintendent level. Those procedures are very different.

“Everyone in authority over me in this country understands clearly those procedures. I’m going to invite you to put that question to some other people.”

On March 7, 2014, Kendrick Tinker was arrested in connection with the seizure of 50 pounds of marijuana.

The next day, he was allowed to marry his fiancée at the station after his family was unable to have him released on police bail.

A chief superintendent, a corporal and two constables were reported to have facilitated the wedding.

Mr Greenslade called a press conference on the Monday following the wedding, and announced that not only were the four officers who allowed the wedding to take place put on administrative leave, they were facing internal charges and possible dismissal.

At the time, Mr Greenslade branded the incident as “dastardly” and told reporters that it breached the RBPF’s policies and procedures.

Last year, former Free National Movement Deputy leader Loretta Butler-Turner subsequently demanded from the Ministry of National Security a full explanation of the events surrounding the wedding, including the authoritative figure who sanctioned the act.

She claimed that sources within the Royal Bahamas Police Force insisted that Mr Greenslade was strongly opposed to the marriage.

She also claimed that after a senior officer at the station was unsuccessful in gaining Mr Greenslade’s approval, he then turned to State Minister of National Security Keith Bell who she alleged gave the go-ahead. For the wrongful approval, Mrs Butler Turner said, “heads must roll.”

However, when The Tribune questioned National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage about the matter, he said the claims were “foolish.” He said “no executive” with the Ministry of National Security could sanction such an act.