PLP leader Philip 'Brave' Davis.
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
OPPOSITION Leader Philip Davis said he was never consulted on the promotion of former Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle to Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, as mandated by law.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force announced the appointment in a statement on Thursday evening, stating the promotion had been approved by the Governor General following a recommendation by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis after consultation with Mr Davis.
Mr Rolle’s appointment takes effect from April 1, 2019.
In a press statement on Friday, Mr Davis said: “It has been brought to my attention that a public notice is circulating purportedly signed by the Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson that indicated the appointment by the Governor General of an Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police.
He continued: “The announcement says that the appointment was made after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. Please be advised that no one consulted me at any time on this appointment.”
Mr Davis’ statement comes as the party continues to clash with the governing party over allegations that the Progressive Liberal Party politicized the police force during previous terms.
At an event billed as a town hall meeting for Fort Charlotte, Centreville, St Barnabas, Bain and Grants Town, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said: “The FNM does not appoint senior police officers based on their political affiliation. Apparently, this is what the PLP does.”
PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell renewed the party’s call for the resignation of Minister of National Security Marvin Dames, and Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands in a press statement on Friday.
The PLP has called for the dismissal of the two Cabinet ministers over their involvement in the trial of former PLP MP Frank Smith on bribery and extortion charges.
Mr Dames and Dr Sands were criticised by Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt as she gave her reasons for acquitting Mr Smith of all charges on February 1.
The chief magistrate criticised the ministers for the “egregious” way in which they interacted with complainant Barbara Hanna prior to a police investigation into her claims, charging that their conduct gave the appearance of a “political favour to a curious bystander”.
The government has appealed the matter.
Mr Mitchell said: This same Dr. Minnis who loves to point the finger, has done nothing to address this issue that hovers like a dark cloud over his administration and is an albatross around his neck. He wishes this to go away through deflection so the Prime Minister lacks credibility on this score.
“The Prime Minister obviously bit his tongue when he told the media that the PLP politicized the police force,” he continued.
“If Dr. Minnis has a short memory, we are happy to remind him that it was the FNM who sent multiple police officers brandishing weapons to BAIC for no other reason but to intimidate BAIC employees and its executive Chairman.”
Mr Mitchell was referring to the 2017 arrest and release of former Nassau Village member of Parliament Dion Smith and several Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation employees in connection with a police probe into “theft by reason of employment”.
It was alleged police officers visited the government agency with guns drawn to investigate allegations made against workers and Mr Smith, who served as its executive chairman.
At the time, Dr Minnis denied any government interference.
Comments
TalRussell 5 years, 7 months ago
Ask, ask how many daily designer lies brace comrade populace swallow, before they rebel, yes, no?
BONEFISH 5 years, 7 months ago
Not surprised at all at this.This is Dr.Minnis mo.He makes decisions without really consulting and does not think things through.A note of history.Many years ago ,i was told the PLP wanted the late Dudley Hanna to be the commissioner of police.The late Sir Lynden Pindling wrote to the Norman Solomon who was leader of the opposition.Mr.Solomon refused to support that appointment.He was never appointed and was very upset about that.
BONEFISH 5 years, 7 months ago
Not surprised at all at this.This is Dr.Minnis mo.He makes decisions without really consulting and does not think things through.A note of history.Many years ago ,i was told the PLP wanted the late Dudley Hanna to be the commissioner of police.The late Sir Lynden Pindling wrote to the Norman Solomon who was leader of the opposition.Mr.Solomon refused to support that appointment.He was never appointed and was very upset about that.
hrysippus 5 years, 7 months ago
I had understood that the appointment of the Commissioner of Police occurs after consultation of the Prime Minister with the Leader of H.H. Loyal Opposition. I do not think there is any obligation to do so for a deputy. But we must give allowances for political elects who have never bothered to actually study the constitution that governs us all.
Godson 5 years, 7 months ago
What a conundrum... "a political elect that never bothered to study the constitution...".
birdiestrachan 5 years, 7 months ago
No Games came into power with an agenda. Mr: Greenslade was first and the others followed The post office all in the plan. No Games seems to be back tracking with some of the officers
The FNM papa did something like this with the police force before.
hnhanna 5 years, 7 months ago
IDC
TigerB 5 years, 7 months ago
It was a good idea to get rid of Greensalde as the stats will show. For those who live in Nassau maybe you should be thankful.. as for Brave, he was in the DPM, they do Minnis much worst, him and Perry while Minnis was in opposition. Soooo stuff come full circle, Now he realizes that he is not that important...I not sorry for him. He still has 3 years to go then maybe another 5years again
TalRussell 5 years, 7 months ago
Sad, ever so sad reality the governing comrade red shirts incapable truthfulness with common populace, yes, no?
CatIslandBoy 5 years, 7 months ago
the constitution will bear out that the leader of the opposition does not have to be consulted, only the Commissioner of Police. Mr. Davis knows better......
TalRussell 5 years, 7 months ago
I dunno why comrade Imperial red shirts communications tell stupid lies much different truth. How can they not know such serial telling lies be found out be untruthful before ink on press release goin' dry, yes, no........ Clear as mud - Imperial red shirts serial telling juvenile lies machinery ain't working in their governing favour on comrade populace, yes, no?
John 5 years, 7 months ago
If Tal Russell Pisistratus had to sell newspapers for the Tribune that newspaper would have been broke even before Christopler Columbus set sail for the new world. So they continue to insult Bahamians with his incomprehensible rhetoric.
TigerB 5 years, 7 months ago
This is a temporary fix, Emrick Seymour will be the real deputy commissioner unti forever, He has about 70 weeks of vacation... so this means nothing. Those 2 ranks, COP and DCOP there can only be one of each under the police act. As long as one is in the job with vacation time, the new man can only act. So Brave shouldn't be to concern, that is an acting post.
Tarzan 5 years, 7 months ago
Consulting with Brave Davis about police appointments would be like Cicero, Illinois consulting with Al Capone on topic.
Gotoutintime 5 years, 7 months ago
Who the Hell cares if Davis was consulted or not--He is a has been!
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