By EARYEL BOWLEG
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames has defended the promotion of Debra Thompson, the lead investigator of bribery complaints against former Cabinet minister Shane Gibson.
Despite the criticism towards her rise in rank to Superintendent from Assistant Superintendent in the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), Mr Dames told the media yesterday he still has confidence in her.
“The Commissioner makes a recommendation as to who he would wish to recommend. That’s his force,” he explained. “I would’ve gone on record to speak about the officer in question who would’ve worked under me while I served and I have the utmost, I repeat, the utmost confidence in her integrity and her ability.”
Last month, Supt Thompson was among 68 officers who received promotions. Her promotion received backlash as she admitted on the stand during Mr Gibson’s trial last year she was wrong for synchronising two witnesses’ claims against the defendant.
Mr Gibson was particularly unhappy about the promotion and wrote to the Police Service Commission expressing dismay over the situation.
In his letter, he noted: “What makes the decision to promote Debra Thompson more egregious is that she admitted that it is common practice for two witnesses to be brought together to synchronise their stories and accounts of matters in dispute. This leads one to believe that my case is not the first time she has been involved in this unethical. . .practice.
“I write to advise if Debra Thompson’s promotion is not rescinded within fourteen days of the date of this letter, I will institute proceedings before the Supreme Court for judicial review of the decision to promote Debra Thompson and seek an order of certiorari to quash this recommendation.”
The commission has referred the former minister’s criticism to the Police Complaints Unit. Mr Gibson has said he is willing to take the matter as far as the Privy Council.
Asked about the matter yesterday, Mr Dames said he did not want to get involved in what he called “side antics”.
“I mean people go to court all the time and matters are won or lost, alright. So who decides what may have resulted in someone winning a case or someone losing a case, right and so you know, I’m not going to as minister, you know, get in these side antics and political tricks, you know.
“If the Commissioner made a recommendation, he stands by that recommendation, and there is nothing to justify removing an officer or not promoting an officer then that’s a moot point as far as I’m concerned.”
Afterwards, he added: “I’m not going to speak to that anymore because now we’re going to ride this. I ain’t into that no more.”
Comments
TalRussell 4 years, 7 months ago
Is comrade Marvin, for real?
Personally, I find it difficult to swallow how the former health minister - could've taken a telephone call from Obadiah and even after he has named a number individuals he had personally telephoned for the sole purpose seeking their approval for his and Obadiah's, swaps donation hatched scheme - none these many conversations reached his cabinet colleagues, the AG's office, nor the PMO?
I solely believe that the PopoulacesOrdinary At-Large, deserve a law-abiding government. Nod once for yeah, Twice for no?
moncurcool 4 years, 7 months ago
I really thought Marvin had more integrity than that. He starting to pull a Davis. Now just waiting for Shame, I mean Shane judicial review, which I am sure he won't do.
DDK 4 years, 7 months ago
Don't believe so,. Comrade 🤣 Certainly does not have Her Majesty's speech and grammar protocol down pat!
Clamshell 4 years, 7 months ago
... y’think? 🤣🤣😎
Porcupine 4 years, 7 months ago
That we are at this point is the shame. No accounting for the lost opportunity costs. Imagine if we took the time to address real issues once and for all? Perhaps we could move forward as a country.
birdiestrachan 4 years, 7 months ago
No Games Tight pants has appointed himself King of something. He alone knows what he is King of. He seems to be grinding his teeth when he speaks.
Who knows if he instructed Deborah Thompson to do what she did. and now she has come into her reward?
What she did was WRONG. May the good Lord protect all who can not afford QC.s to defend them.
Topdude 4 years, 7 months ago
Mr. Gibson is as arrogant as they come. Any onlooker of this case would have noted that this man was as corrupt as they come. The fact that he was acquitted was not as result of him being free of corrupt acts during his term in office, it was due to slick legal maneuvers.
Furthermore, for him to now want to tangle himself in the internal personnel matters of the Police Department shows he is still smarting from the fact that he was caught demanding and receiving bribes while in Office as a Minister. This fact will never be erased from our history. That he was acquitted of those charges is immaterial.
The fact remains he demanded, received and enjoyed the spoils of bribery while in Office.
Superintendent Thompson did the job to the best of her ability. Her promotion is justified.
birdiestrachan 4 years, 7 months ago
Thompson and Tight Pants have been proven to be DEAD WRONG, It matters.
It is frightening as to what will be done to a person who can not hire a QC.
ASH is only the beginning of what happens to people who dig ditches, he was their STAR WITNESS. brought before the courts and proven GUILTY.
moncurcool 4 years, 7 months ago
Wonder how Shame, I mean Shane, got all the money to hire one.
Topdude 4 years, 7 months ago
Gibson was known for demanding and receiving bribes from foreigners with disreputable backgrounds to get Bahamian residence permits. He was a serial bribe extorter. He will always remain convicted in the Bahamian Court of Public Opinion.
TalRussell 4 years, 7 months ago
We owe bad conduct, nothing
I strongly expressed at the time that because the comrade member's disgraceful conduct while in elected office that he, shouldn't be welcomed back to return elective politics by his party - regardless, the colony cannot advance forward and onward as long as backward comparative excuses are provided as a path for any the government-connected to commit new wrongs.. Nod once for yeah, Twice for no?
shonkai 4 years, 7 months ago
Being acquitted does not mean he did not do it. He was acquitted because a police officer committed a procedural error. An error that was openly admitted in court, for this she should be commended, we would wish our politicians did this too (like Dr Sands did). Maybe not promoted, but surely commended. Just because someone else is wrong does not mean you are right.
TalRussell 4 years, 7 months ago
Ma comrade Snok, you take time out from your party politics to reread what the judge, not the Defendant, said. Yeah?
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