The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour officially turned over command of the northern district to his successor, Assistant Commissioner of Police Samuel Butler, on Friday during a handover ceremony at Police Headquarters in Grand Bahama.

Mr Seymour – who has served as police chief for Grand Bahama and the northern region for seven years – is relocating to New Providence in his new capacity as DCP.

“I leave GB knowing that all is well,” he said, referring to the recent crime statistics which showed an overall decrease in crime by 26 percent in Grand Bahama in 2017.

“I go on record by saying that crime in GB for the last six years has decreased by some 73 percent, and so there again you see that Grand Bahama is a safe place to live, despite the economic challenges.

“I give thanks to God for allowing me the opportunity to serve my country in this capacity; Grand Bahama is home, however, duty calls and so I have to relocate.”

Mr Seymour stated that he had enjoyed his stint as commander, and thanked members of the public and officers for their support over the years in Grand Bahama.

“I have been the commanding officer of the GB and northern Bahamas District for seven years, and so the overall experience was an enriching one,” he said, also noting his rise from a constable to deputy police commissioner.

“GB has not been doing well economically as expected, but I want to say that crime has been manageable for us. We had serious incidents where we had murder cases that drew raised eyebrows and people questioning what was going on. Yes, we had incidents that have resulted in death, but GB is still a safe place to live, work, visit and play,” he said.

He stressed that Grand Bahama is in “capable hands” with ACP Butler at the helm.

“He is an outstanding human being and a Bahamian, a man of impeccable character who can carry GB to the next level,” he said.

He noted that ACP Butler was previously commander of the DEU in Nassau.

“I am asking the public and officers to give him the same support given to me as he leads the GB district.” He said.

ACP Butler commended DCP Seymour and the officers for their accomplishments in Grand Bahama and looked forward to partnering with stakeholders and residents of Grand Bahama.

“I am just simply a servant of the people, and I come to serve GB with a human touch, but also with the understanding that we must execute the law,” he said.

“We cannot do it in a vacuum. When we embrace working with stakeholders and ordinary citizens, then we will achieve good results. I pledge to the wider community that we will indeed seek to do our best to keep this community safe,”

Mr Butler has three decades of experience in policing.

He has met with local stakeholders who have expressed concerns about the traffic violations as it relates to vehicle licensing and license plates, and environmental concerns.

“We will certainly go after those, and more serious crimes,” he said.