The Tribune

By MORGAN ADDERLEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

madderley@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Anthony Ferguson yesterday said officers are “very receptive” to the use of bodycams, adding he does not expect any resistance to the implementation of this technology.

Commissioner Ferguson made these remarks on the sidelines of the opening of the control tactics and aerobics room of the RBPF’s fitness centre.

When asked if he thinks police officers will adapt well to the use of body cameras or if he expects resistance, Commissioner Ferguson replied: “No, no, no. This is professional organisation. It’s always ways that you need to up your game, make it more professional, bring into line with international policing.

“And the officers are very receptive, because you know we had the testing. And so there’s nothing to be — any resistance will come in respect to that, no.”

During a press conference earlier this month, Commissioner Ferguson said the bodycam programme is expected to come on stream this year.

“We believe in (transparency),” he said at the time. “And so very, very soon you will see bodycams being worn. We are very, very close to acquiring that… I can tell you that it’s much closer today than it has been.

“And so you will find that the Ministry of National Security will be making a statement on who should... be awarded the contract to provide body cams to the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF).”

During yesterday’s interview, Commissioner Ferguson also addressed the importance of the addition of the control tactics and aerobics room at the RBPF fitness centre, located on the Police College campus.

He added this addition “absolutely” contributes to the upgrading of the force.

“It’s all a part of officers’ safety,” he said. “You have to be able to perform in the midst of extreme danger, extreme adverse situations. And so, here we are.”

Regarding the presence of the senior command of the RBPF, the commissioner said: “We want to excite the members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, particularly those front line officers.

“And I believe that if they see us come out — whether if we are able to do two minutes or not – I think this will excite them. All of them would now be aware that the gym is officially open and I truly wish that every member of the (RBPF) would take advantage of it, and the persons who will run it would really put the structure and plans in place to make sure the officers are fit, including myself.”

When asked how important officers’ fitness is to the fight against crime, Commissioner Ferguson replied: “Well you know we have to sometime(s) run down people, and you don’t want to be on the losing end.”

During his remarks during the opening ceremony, the commissioner said he and his senior command devised the plan for an aerobics area to assist officers’ energy levels.

“We recognised that we needed an indoor area (where) we can really train the officers in really tactics. When you get out there sometimes, you have to do some things in order to restrain people, in a professional way. Hence we made this room a multifaceted area.

“I also brought my executive team (to yesterday’s ceremony) because the top must be physically fit and then it trickles right down to the bottom.

“There’s no reason why police officers are not to be fit. I will continue to do my endeavour best to make sure that we have all of the facilities and equipment necessary to make this force a great force.”