The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE health concerns of Royal Bahamas Police Force officers are not “being disregarded or neglected” by senior members of the force, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said yesterday, claiming that officials are working to make “improvements in a lot of areas” amidst claims of “disrespect” by Police Staff Association chairman, Dwight Smith.

Mr Greenslade said that despite criticism from members of the PSA and other security forces personnel within the Ministry of National Security there are no complaints from “decent officers who are grateful for the supportive working relationship” provided to officers in the Bahamas.

According to the Commissioner, the Bahamian taxpayers have been “truly generous” to officers, with most being “significantly compensated” for the jobs they do.

“I am so grateful for the things we are able to do for our members, for the wonderful facilities we are able to offer them and that we are able to exercise the duty of care,” Mr Greenslade said.

“We do far more than we ever speak publicly to. This is not a matter of pointing towards an administration or a particular small group of people. It is about every single police officer being his or her brother’s keeper, but not being selfish to the point that we neglect the opportunities that we get.”

In recent weeks many in the law enforcement community have voiced their concerns about the “blatant disrespect” by officials of the Ministry of National Security toward the working conditions of officers.

PSA chairman Mr Smith, Bahamas Prison Officers Association (BPOA) president Gregory Archer and a number of officers from both associations sat in the gallery of the House of Assembly during Wednesday’s parliamentary morning session as “a last resort” to get the government’s attention.

The PSA has been agitating for a government response to a 2013 Clear Solutions Plus report that revealed that 25 police stations and offices around New Providence have had a “significant amount” of mould and required “prompt attention” to prevent severe allergic reactions among officers and others who frequent the buildings.

Mr Smith indicated that since the findings of that report were made public the government has not offered any response or made any progress in correcting the issue, despite the increase of officers experiencing respiratory issues.

Mr Smith said the PSA sent a letter to the Director of Environmental Health requesting that she organise an inspection of all the premises outlined by the Clear Solutions report in trying to verify or condemn its findings, but has received no response.

Subsequently, the association sent a letter to the office of the Commissioner of Police and the Minister of National Security requesting the authorisation to have a “peaceful demonstration”. That request was denied a day later.

State Minister of National Security, Keith Bell, has maintained that the ministry continues to “exercise a very high degree of tolerance and professionalism towards (its) officers and agencies.”

He added that the ministry and its law enforcement agencies also stand ready to deal effectively with any breaks in its ranks at all times.

Mr Bell confirmed that the ministry has not adopted the Clear Solutions report because they are commissioning their own. Although he didn’t offer any specifics on the issue, he said that the Minister of National Security is “seeking to address any matter relating to health” within the ministry.