The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

ASSERTING that no police “missteps” will be tolerated, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade revealed that 30 officers have been discharged from the Royal Bahamas Police Force since he took the helm three years ago.

“I am not going to tolerate officers committing criminal acts, breaching our discipline codes, and causing the reputation of this force to be brought into dispute,” he said.

Giving a breakdown of the total number of officers who have been discharged since he became commissioner in 2010, Mr Greenslade said eight were discharged in that year, 13 in 2011, six in 2013, and three for this year so far.

In most of those cases, Mr Greenslade said, the officers were discharged for “ceasing to become efficient police officers” AS they “could not continue to serve in the public’s interest.”

He said: “I have a mandate in law which I can clearly fulfil and some have been recommended for dismissal, having been convicted by our internal tribunal or having been convicted by a criminal court.”

It is always asked, “Can the Royal Bahamas Police Force police itself,” Mr Greenslade noted.

“It’s a very delicate question but it’s not a very, very difficult question to answer if one were to look at the facts,” he continued.

“We have, over time, done all that is necessary (and) done all in our power wherever we find that our officers have breached the law or our internal disciplinary code. We’ve done all that we can to move to bring those officers to account.”

The commissioner said he’s “very, very satisfied” the RBPF doesn’t “sidestep on these issues.”

“I hold this organisation out to this country as one organisation where the public is able to see clearly what actions are taken,” he said.

“I ask our people to come to work with clean hands and to keep their hands clean. I ask our people to be firm and professional in the discharge of their duties. We can be relentless in the pursuit of offenders and very firm but we must be professional.

“We have the greatest measure of love and affection for our people and despite any comments to the contrary, this commissioner will continue along with his executive team to demonstrate the care, respect and trust that is vitally necessary to encourage our people to do the best that they can, every day.”