The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Ellison Greenslade yesterday said he will not respond to “rude behaviour” and “disrespect” from officers as the Police Staff Association continues to voice displeasure over ongoing issues, including concerns over National Health Insurance.

More than a week ago the Police Staff Association (PSA) criticised the government for not including them in initial discussions surrounding the implementation of NHI, adding that the various associations representing law enforcement officers in the country felt “insulted” and “disrespected” by a lack of consultation.

However, Mr Greenslade was dismissive of the PSA suggesting that the group had gone about voicing their concerns the wrong way.

Regarding criticism from the PSA that the RBPF has done nothing to deal with mould at several police stations on the island, Mr Greenslade said this was a non-issue.

He said: “I can’t, as the commissioner, speak to you or anyone in this country about desisting from a life of crime (and) doing what is right and proper if I myself (am) disrespectful. That’s the fundamental message.

“I cannot have police officers in the public domain demonstrating disrespect by word, action and deed. That’s a reality. The Bahamian public is already aware of that, I think the Bahamian public has had enough of that and quite frankly as commissioner I have too.”

He added: “There are lots of things in train and in the fullness of time you will be enlightened as to what those things are, but I am not prepared to continue to have this dialogue with respect to rude behaviour and disrespect for an organisation. I am asking officers to cease and desist whoever they are and to line themselves up with what is good and decent and to show respect.”

He told reporters that he had no fears of reduced benefits for officers as some speculate will happen when NHI comes on stream in 2016.

Asked if he believed the current health benefits to police officers were sufficient, Mr Greenslade said it took many years to have those benefits get to a level that is acceptable.

“We are treated extremely well. If you look at all of the benefits we enjoy we have made tremendous progress. If you had asked that question of me in 2007 or 2008 my answer might have been different but based on the benefits that came with the new Police Force Act in 2009 we have very little to complain about, we should be grateful.

“This country has done us proud. Taxpayers have stepped up and given benefits to this department that many, many police forces the world over do not enjoy,” the commissioner said, on the sidelines of the opening of the RBPF’s youth summer camp.

PSA Chairman Inspector Dwight Smith has previously said there appears to be a “disconnect” between the government over health insurance benefits for police officers.

He said while the security forces in the country welcome the government’s proposed NHI scheme, law enforcement officers felt slighted that they were not “brought around the table to actually discuss where we should go and where we want to go.”