The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter 

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Leader Michael Pintard has accused the government of forcing dozens of police officers in Grand Bahama out of government-provided housing with little time to secure alternative accommodations.

However, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe dismissed his claims as “reckless and misleading,” insisting the eviction notices reflect a routine administrative decision Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles made without interference by the Davis administration.

He said officers were given three to six months to transition to private housing, with the option to request more time if needed; he claimed not a single officer had done so.

“The housing assessment applies to officers who have lived in government-provided rentals for at least five years — some for as long as two decades — at the expense of the police budget,” Mr Munroe said in a statement. 

Mr Pintard, who hosted a press conference yesterday near one of the residential complexes housing officers at Tripp Circle alongside Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis, claimed as many as 50 officers had been given eviction notices, with some ordered to vacate their residences within two, three, or six months. 

He challenged the government’s position, saying many officers have extenuating circumstances, including financial hardship, medical challenges, and difficulties securing transfers back to their home islands.

“We are asking the Ministry of National Security to have a heart and design a plan that will deal with officers based on their individual circumstances,” Mr Pintard said. “We had an opportunity to speak with more than ten officers who expressed concerns about the short timelines given and the lack of alternative solutions. These are officers who lived through Dorian and struggled.”

Mr Munroe, however, said the issue is about enforcing longstanding policy and ensuring that public funds are spent appropriately.

“The Commissioner of Police is now correcting this issue by enforcing the standard policy: once an officer is deemed domiciled, they must either assume responsibility for their housing costs or relocate,” he said. 

“Officers have been given six months to make these arrangements. The government has also forgiven the financial obligations that officers should have assumed long ago — a move that underscores fairness, not hardship.”

He accused Pintard of attempting to manufacture controversy for political gain, adding: “Pintard’s decision to ignore the facts proves that his goal was never to advocate for officers but rather to manufacture controversy. This kind of reckless behaviour from the Leader of the Opposition is not just irresponsible — it is dishonest.”

Mr Pintard argued that officers have spent their own money to make some of the homes livable, particularly after Hurricane Dorian, and questioned why they are being removed now. He called for alternative solutions, such as allowing long-term occupants to purchase the properties or implementing a rent-to-own programme.

“There is no shortage of buildings in Grand Bahama that the government can acquire and refurbish to accommodate officers,” he said. 

“Furthermore, the government could facilitate officer homeownership through the Mortgage Corporation.”

Lewis added: “Many of these officers have families — wives and children who will be directly affected. All they are asking is to be a little more reasonable.”