FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. Photo: Dante Carrer
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune News Editor
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis called for a commission of inquiry into gang activity in The Bahamas as the Royal Bahamas Police Force faces controversy following the release of voice notes that purport to capture a financial quid-pro-quo arrangement involving a senior police officer and a murdered gang leader.
“I am extremely concerned about the trajectory we are headed in with respect to recent and disturbing events involving our Royal Bahamas Police Force and the vexing increase in criminal activity in our country,” he said in a statement.
“As gang violence spills over in our streets, as civilians and even children become casualties of these wars we are doubly burdened with the revelations that our trusted Police force could potentially be involved in the obstruction of justice that families and the citizens of our country need and deserve.
“This is a call for transparency, accountability and one that will remove the veil of secrecy from the individuals that are trying to keep our country and its citizens in fear; those who believe they are above the law.
“We have been told that law enforcement teams from the US and the UK are willing to assist, and we have been told that a team from the Security and Intelligence branch of the RBPF will lead the investigations of probe into the actions of the CID Chief Superintendent.”
Dr Minnis said a commission of inquiry would consider violence perpetuated by gangs, leaders of gangs, the influence gangs have in communities, gangs’ involvement in illegal activities relating to firearms and drugs, the relationship among gang leaders and senior law enforcement officers and allegations that undermine confidence in the RBPF.
Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said on Tuesday night that he found the voice notes “terribly disturbing”.
He did not provide information about how foreign investigators would be involved in the investigation. Commissioner Fernander said on Monday that law enforcement teams from the US and UK will help with the investigation, but has yet to provide details. Neither he nor police press liaison Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings responded to questions seeking an update in recent days.
Comments
birdiestrachan 3 months, 3 weeks ago
How many commission of inquires has the Bahamas had and what has been the results did it cause improvements or just a rumble no sense, the only commission of inquire the Bahamas needs is one on the competent Authority with his bad ways,
trueBahamian 3 months, 3 weeks ago
He forgot Toogie and Bobo aye? Lol. We've gad 2 Commisssions of Inquiry and both times nothing came out of them. So, why do this again? We need an independent investigation, one not led by the SIB.
Porcupine 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Dr. Minnis says,"....our trusted Police force could potentially be involved in the obstruction of justice that families and the citizens of our country need and deserve." As if this hasn't been the problem from the very beginning? Potentially? Ha Ha And then Dr. Minnis says, "This is a call for transparency, accountability and one that will remove the veil of secrecy from the individuals that are trying to keep our country and its citizens in fear; those who believe they are above the law." How convenient that now is the time. You had your opportunity for transparency and accountability, Dr. Minnis. Every politician talks about this until it is time to actually do something about it, when they are in office. There is NO accountability in this country, and even less honesty. And, without a robust Freedom of Information Act even less transparency. Like usual, these politicians speak with forked tongue, out of both sides of their mouths.
pablojay 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Don't need a commission of enquiry to find out why he hasn't gone back to private life yet,... massive ego.
SP 3 months, 3 weeks ago
STFU Minnis! This clown just momentarily woke up again aye? Oppositions always know all the answers to everything until they gain power, then political Alzheimer's kick in and suddenly they don't know a sea grape from a Japanese car!
The RBPF has always been the biggest organized gang of thugs in the Bahamas just as US police are the biggest gang of organized criminals in the United States.
Everybody with half a brain knows that drug dealing, prostitution, arms dealing, human smuggling, and every other vice could not exist without the collaboration of corrupt law enforcement!
What did Dr. Minnis do when a senior Cabinet minister was caught recommending "head shots" for an individual that he had an issue with?....... ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING! So please sit down and STFU!
The Bahamas needs a combined Scotland Yard AND FBI investigation in the relationship between past and present crooked MP's, and their bottom feeding high profile lawyers that have facilitated corruption at the highest levels for decades.
PLEASE GO AWAY Minnis, and take Ingraham, Perry, and Brave with you!
ExposedU2C 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Anybody notice how quiet Pintard has become in recent times? LOL
sheeprunner12 3 months, 3 weeks ago
What can the FNM profit from making comments on this PF fiasco????
Let the PLP hang themselves .............. 2026 is coming
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