I’m quite perplexed about the recent promotional exercise within the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Clearly, Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade’s authority is being usurped and, quite honestly, it is patent that many of the promotions were politically-based. The promotions—quite a number of which went to undeserving officers—is demonstrative of the notion that the good ole boys club is back in full effect!
Prima facie, political interference seems to have played a part in the promotions and countless police officers have complained to me that they felt that undeserving people were promoted while more deserving officers were taken off the list—and some of these complaints came from officers who were promoted, but noted that their deserving colleagues/partners were not.
I find it interesting that the police force is once again becoming top heavy, with the awkward re-introduction of ranks that were previously eliminated. What exactly is an ACTING Assistant Superintendent? What is an ACTING inspector?
The promotions seemingly amounted to an overrated awards ceremony where nearly everyone—particularly if they were supporters of the governing party—was thought of and given a piece of the action.
Whether we call it a realignment of the RBPF or whatever fancy term one conjures up, one knows that a disciplined, military-like organization such as the police force should not, under any circumstances, be subjected to out-and-out political meddling.
I would certainly impress upon the Commissioner to understand that he holds a constitutionally protected post and, whilst he could be frustrated by budgetary issues and other impediments the executive could put in his way, he must not allow the police force to be run by politicians or allow himself to be manipulated by politicians. The public requires and demands that of any and every officer of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, whether they be FNM, PLP, DNA or in between!
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First published in the The Tribune under the byline, Young Man's View, here…
