The Tribune

THE GOVERNMENT yesterday announced they will repeal all of the "unconstitutional" provisions of the Police Act in an attempt to separate politics and national security.

In the Speech from the Throne, which was read by Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes, Prime Minister Perry Christie said revising the Police Act is high on the governments agenda.

He said: "My government will move for the repeal of all the provisions of the Police Act which are unconstitutional or attempt to politicise the Police Force or undermine the impartiality and security of tenure of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police."

Currently, the act gives the commissioner up to two-five year terms or a maximum of ten years in office. It also gives the prime minister the power to determine if the commissioner gets a contract extension and how long the contract will be for.

The act was passed in 2009 by the then FNM government, it was opposed by the PLP.

During the election campaign, Deputy Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis said the government should not determine how the police force is run.

"We believe that the Police, not the politicians, are the best persons to determine how the force should be run and managed. A new PLP administration will allow the police to police. We'll start by removing all provisions from the Police Act which undermine the independence of the Commissioner of Police by placing him on contract. The commissioner of police under a PLP government will operate without fear or favour," he said.

"Secondly, the police led by the commissioner will review the force and make recommendations on its structure and organisation. Also promotions will be based on merit and not a lottery-based system based on quotas determined by politicians for votes during election time."

Legislation to fight and reduce crime also dominated the Speech from the Throne with the government pledging to implement a dozen crime fighting strategies.

Prime Minister Perry Christie said his government is determined to build a secure and prosperous crime free society.

He promised to immediately reinstate and expand the Urban Renewal Programme, establish an Urban Renewal Office and introduce a national Crime Management Agenda comprising effective prevention, detection, prosecution and rehabilitation.

A National Intelligence Agency comprising all law enforcement departments to address major crime and a National Firearms Control Strategy with a proper Firearm Department and Database was also promised.

Mr Christie also said the government will reintroduce a number of programmes that were "cancelled" by the former government.

"My government will reintroduce, as a matter of the most urgent priority, the Witness Protection Programme so as to ensure the key witnesses and their families are protected. My government will also move to amend the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act to assist young and first time offenders in embracing a life founded on the values of honesty, hard work and respect for the life and property of others," he said. "My government will also, as a matter of high priority, reintroduce school-based policing to curb school violence. My government will also revitalise tourism based policing to enhance visitor safety."

The government also promised to equip the Royal Bahamas Defence Force with necessary tools to more effectively "police our borders against illegal immigration, drug trafficking, illegal firearms and poaching."