Police Force ‘needs 900 more constables’

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe yesterday. Photo: Donavan McIntosh/ Tribune Staff

As of Thursday, March 24, 2022

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Senior Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said the Royal Bahamas Police Force is 900 constables short.

He said a recruitment exercise will see the force hire 190 new officers at a cost of $3.42m.

His comments came during a communication in the House of Assembly yesterday after he tabled Police Commissioner Paul Rolle’s 2022 police plan.

Mr Munroe said the plan has nine priority areas. They include transformational training, which is “the ability of the force to achieve its goals and objectives in creating safer communities by transforming into a learning organisation where training on best practices in policing is continuously integrated into the curriculum and implemented in processes”.

The plan also includes heightened police operations, which is the ability of the force to allay fears of crime and/or prevent crime by increasing police operations throughout communities.

Mr Munroe said they also include areas relating to transformative human rights standards recognition and implementation, transformative community policing services, criminal investigations, intelligence and prosecution, heightened police operations, transformational information and communications technology, public road safety, protection of at risk groups and youth engagement.

He said: “While 2021 was challenging for the force, particularly with quality of life offences, the officers remained resolute in the fight against crime, which resulted in a decrease in property crimes. Overall, the force was, in my judgement, successful in fulfilling its seven areas of priority as outlined in the 2021 commissioner’s policing plan.

“All seven priorities received significant attention and resources, and the outcomes were positive. A preliminary review of crime indicates that the deliverables targeted were achieved, as evidenced by the overall rate of crime remained comparatively unchanged by the end of 2021 with 4,081 cases, compared to 4,064 in 2020 having regard to the substantial periods of lockdowns in 2020. The force was able to achieve its objective in that the overall rate or percentage of serious crime did not increase. Albeit, there is room for improvement as various categories of quality-of-life offences did increase.

Sickened 2 years, 1 month ago

900 more votes.

John 2 years, 1 month ago

The way these young punks killing up people Sounds like the police force needs a new army. Need to do like they did in New York when it was overrun with gangs. Police identified the gang leaders and members and targeted them for the smallest criminal infractions. So they kept them going to court and to jail. Eventually the gang leaders got put away for a long time of left New York. And once the leaders were gone, the gangs disbanded.

TigerB 2 years, 1 month ago

All they have to do is stop promoting every one... I have never seen a force with more chiefs than indian. Really weird, and none can really lead.

moncurcool 2 years, 1 month ago

Exactly.

Even if they get 900, they would promote them all the next day and then complain they need more.

realfreethinker 2 years, 1 month ago

It was perry who promoted nearly 1000 officers just before the election. When Hubert Ingraham restructed the police force it was perry who went and undid all of the gains

JohnDoes 2 years, 1 month ago

I'll never forget the time back in 2010 when the Police college told me that I was not 'disciplined' because I had a small tattoo on the inside of my wrist. If I had not indicated on the application that I had a tattoo (being honest with my answers), they would have never asked or noticed and my application would have been successfully submitted; but they judged and ridiculed me for something so trivial. I politely tried to explain to them that I witnessed many officers who full and half sleeve tattoos that are fully visible and that it was not fair that they picked on me for something so miniscule and I walked out and said that I'd never join an organization that is so ancient in mindset and arrogant to accept needed changes that comes as a result of the time period. The force rejected many good persons due to stupid, outdated, and nit-picky policies.

JokeyJack 2 years, 1 month ago

Exactly. They would rather watch children die in school. Well, they are getting their wish.

Sickened 2 years, 1 month ago

They probably saved your life by rejecting you.

sheeprunner12 2 years, 1 month ago

Hubert Ingraham reviewed and reformed the PF in the 1990s. It restricted how many officers could be in khaki at one time and it limited the PF to 11 officer levels .............. Every time the PLP took over the Government, they tinkered with the PF and messed it up ......... That is how we are in this mess today.

Too many lousy khaki officers serving until they are 60 and too many junior officers retiring after 25 years and staying on to "double dip" (salary & pension). More constables will just exacerbate the chaos that the PLP has already created (for votes)

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