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Rolle: I felt betrayed by Minnis administration

Police Commissioner Paul Rolle speaking to The Tribune. Photo: Moise Amisial

Police Commissioner Paul Rolle speaking to The Tribune. Photo: Moise Amisial

As of Friday, July 1, 2022

By JADE RUSSELL

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Paul Rolle on his last day in office yesterday said he felt “betrayed” and “deceived” by the Minnis administration in its handling of three high-ranking police officers, adding he never supported them being placed on leave.

Senior police officers Clayton Fernander, Leamond Deleveaux and Ken Strachan in 2019 were asked to take their accumulated vacation leaves.

During during an interview on ‘Cop Talk’ with host Sergeant Makelle Pinder, Mr Rolle addressed the challenges he faced working with the previous administration.

He said: “When dealing with the officers that were placed on leave, I never supported that. I made that known into the administration at the time.

“When they asked me to do that, I refused, okay in the first instance.

“And when the time came up for the extension I refused in January.

“I told them if you give me a Cabinet conclusion, because that’s not me I don’t think I should be the one doing it, I didn’t want to do it.

“And in March again it came up and they asked for me to do it and I refused to do it.”

After refusing multiple times to extend the officers’ leave, Mr Rolle said the relationship between him and the Minnis government became “tense”.

Mr Rolle said he asked the administration to put their instructions in writing and he would then carry out their orders.

However, after carrying out the “written instructions” he described feeling deceived and betrayed by the way it was done.

Commissioner Rolle added, he then had intentions of going to the Prime Minister and letting him know he was ready to retire.

However, he said he later received a call that the Prime Minister had something for him, which he believed was his marching orders. However, he ended up receiving a proclamation to prorogue Parliament instead.

Following the 2021 early election when the Free National Movement was voted out, Mr Rolle informed the new Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis of the current circumstances and his plans.

Commissioner Rolle added he had he already brought back officers Fernander, Deleveaux and Strachan. He took the opportunity to apologise to the men for how they were treated and said he would do everything in his power to restore their dignity.

Rolle had received some backlash from the ordeal of the officers and said he had to take the licks for it.

Mr Fernander is to be confirmed as the new police Commissioner on Tuesday.

Mr Strachan was bestowed a Queen’s honour and Mr Deleveaux is set to be the next Deputy Commissioner.

“I said to the other assistant commissioners ‘Look y’all are young, sit and allow me to do this for these guys. I don’t want to hear no complaints and I ask that you support them,” Mr Rolle went on to say.

When asked what he wants his legacy to be, Mr Rolle responded that he wants to be remembered as the Commissioner who touched the lives of people.

He noted when came in 2020 it was at a crucial time when people were hurting.

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Comments

sheeprunner12 2 years, 4 months ago

He was not fit to be COP. He had security of tenure. So why did he feel deceived? At least the incoming COP is Brave's man, so what is good for one should be good for the other. Spineless men should not be in leadership.

birdiestrachan 2 years, 4 months ago

Does he have a copy of the written instructions . What did the dames and the doc have against those officers and was it the dames who promoted Deborah Thompson who called witnesses together

And the FNM has the nerves to talk about corruption

n

or to

birdiestrachan 2 years, 4 months ago

It was doc Minnis who was not qualified his time in office will go down in history as a reign of terror It was the FNM Government who sent Mr.Greenslade away

The_Oracle 2 years, 4 months ago

Political appointment can only result in political termination. Back and forth every election cycle. They want yes men. Not thinking or competent men. Hence civil service Government has no continuity, no proper civil service training, following political edict instead of the written law.

ThisIsOurs 2 years, 4 months ago

Noone was in his shoes or felt the pressure he felt, but Minnis and the odd gesticulations aside, the explanations just raise more questions.

"It was them or me"??? and ~I recommended the man I forced into early retirement as the best man in the entire force to replace me??? Huh?

ThisIsOurs 2 years, 4 months ago

Heard Bodie say 2 weeks after Fernander was appointed that the murder problem was solved!!! How we supposed to have a serious country when we make mockeries of serious issues?

moncurcool 2 years, 4 months ago

“I said to the other assistant commissioners ‘Look y’all are young, sit and allow me to do this for these guys. I don’t want to hear no complaints and I ask that you support them,” Mr Rolle went on to say.

That quote right there is why we have a brain drain in this country and once our young people go to college abroad they do not return.

Clearly this guy was not interested in recommending the most competent and qualified person for the job, just the most senior.

This garbage really needs to stop. Now come Monday another COP in the position not qualified for it.

tribanon 2 years, 4 months ago

Couldn't agree with you more.

birdiestrachan 2 years, 4 months ago

There is something called experience that can not be bought education is wonderful but wisdom comes from God what the Bahamas needs is some wise people there are enough educated fools already

If one loves their County they will come back You know like breathes the man with soul so dead who never too him himself has said this is my home my native land

realfreethinker 2 years, 4 months ago

Another brain dead individual

moncurcool 2 years, 4 months ago

You are joking right?

You do know that seniority or age does not equal experience right?

You do know that love of country has nothing to do with just being satisfied with just giving a position to someone senior with no competence, but also with being given an equal opportunity to advance?

For once birdie think critically for yourself as opposed to being a political parrot.

ThisIsOurs 2 years, 4 months ago

Completely off topic, policemen shouldn't be allowed to wear jewelry. One military issue watch and that's it. Anything more looks crooked coppidy

tribanon 2 years, 4 months ago

Agree.

Same should apply to certain of our senior customs officers who like to adorn themselves with the gold riches they receive for doing 'favours' for very wealthy Bahamians who are well connected to the political ruling class whether they be of the PLP or FNM persuasion.

I just cringe everytime I see a senior customs official wearing a $30,000+ solid gold Rolex watch because it usually means someone managed to evade paying more than 100 times that amount to our Public Treasury.

TalRussell 2 years, 4 months ago

There's no reason to push-back on the Premiership "Brave" Davis who is only following long in place protocol ... First to go was the Commish ... Then will demit the Chief Justice ... Followed closely by the Governor-general ... But doesn't necessarily exactly have to be in this set order. ― Yes?

sheeprunner12 2 years, 4 months ago

And we are now following the USA system of stashing party loyalists & yes men to do PM bidding.

hrysippus 2 years, 4 months ago

This poor poor man. I feel so sorry for him. The PM actually asked him to his job, how cruel and heartless is that? Some of you saying that he was acting like a baby obviously do not understand how hard it is to be told to act like a real commissioner should. Anyway, at least now he will probably be awarded lots of our (borrowed) money and get a very large pension but will that be enough to compensate him for all this trmendous pain and suffering that he has had to endure?

tribanon 2 years, 4 months ago

You're quite the cynic. LOL

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