Voice note scandal can’t be silenced

As of Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Editor, The Tribune.

Two months have passed since the allegations of bribery, corruption and possible complicity in murders regarding the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) came to the attention of the public. Bahamians remain shocked and deeply anxious by the explosive allegations.

To date, as far as the public is aware, no one has been charged with an offence related to the matter.

Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander has launched an investigation. The investigation he announced, however, is woefully insufficient. The police force cannot investigate the police force when the allegations involve police at the highest ranks.

Along with others, I have called for a commission of inquiry. The Davis administration, thus far, has refused that call.

Many fear the Davis administration is hoping the public will forget about this scandal and growing crisis in the police force over time by there being a long, inconclusive investigation. This would allow the government to take no further action.

It appears as if the PLP administration would prefer to cover up this deepening and possibly widespread scandal rather than get to the truth and hold accountable those who may have broken the law.

The Bahamian people have not forgotten what happened. The Bahamian people want justice to prevail. The Bahamian people want a comprehensive, independent investigation that examines what may be wrong in the police force in order to improve the organisation.

There is a growing lack of confidence in the police force. If this continues and worsens, it may take a long time to restore faith in the institution and its leadership.

I, again, call on Prime Minister Philip Davis to act and call for a commission of inquiry. I also, again, call on the prime minister to address the nation on this scandal.

The PLP has a long-standing, cover-up culture. We in the opposition will not let the PLP cover up this scandal.

Prime Minister Davis is not leading in this matter. He is running away from his responsibilities. As head of government he appears afraid to step up to his duties.

The Bahamian people want better from this PLP administration. There must be no cover-up in this voice note scandal. We need to know who is involved and at what levels of the force and potentially the government.

Dr Hubert Minnis

Killarney MP

Former Prime Minister

September 10, 2024.

birdiestrachan 1 week ago

Doc the Bahamian people got rid of you and so did your party so you do not speak for the Bahamian people why are you disrespecting the Police , while you were in power so many senior officers sent home Mr Greenslade out of the force, you giving the PLP instructions they should run from any suggestions you make because you do not mean them well doc you are no longer in line for Mr Davis job your party got rid of you Doc we remember OBAN

Porcupine 6 days, 13 hours ago

Your call for transparency and justice is well founded Dr. Minnis. However, the crisis of trust in Bahamian culture is at the root of the problem. We all know the police force is corrupt to the bone, just like our political parties. The PLP is terrible. No Campaign Finance reform, no Freedom of Information Act, no real investigations at all. One big reason is that, far too many in this country have their hand in the cookie jar. If not, why so long for these basic democratic changes to come about? You are correct Dr. Minnis, the PLP administration is the absolute worst. However, they have not been the only ones in power for the last few decades. We have a culture of hatred, dishonesty, vindictiveness and poisonous politics. This Davis administration is as low as it gets. Why, Dr. Minnis, after all these decades, have we not seen any progress in this country? Only the PLP to blame? Sorry, a thinking person can see beyond the noise and nonsense you pathetic politicians continue to serve the Bahamian people.

sheeprunner12 6 days, 7 hours ago

Check the records ...............

In other decent, respectable British Commonwealth countries, where such a socially explosive situation has occurred, a Commission of Inquiry was a necessary outcome to ensure that the Police Force or Army was seen to be above reproach OR to ensure that those culprits implicated in such a rumour was brought to justice.

Sadly, The Bahamas Government has decided not to do such a thing, and has placed us in the category of "banana republics" where strongmen and autocratic rulers cover up the dark secrets of their police forces or militaries.

Even Pindling did not run from the "Nation for Sale" allegations that led to the 1984 Commission of Inquiry. But, the New Day version of Pindling's PLP has sullied the good name of our country and covered up Bahamar, Nygard, FTX and now the CID scandals.

We as a nation have entered a dark zone.

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