By CHESTER ROBARDS
Tribune Senior Reporter
crobards@tribunemedia.net
DISCUSSIONS over how suspects are to be treated while in custody “ought not be necessary” as police already know what correct procedure is, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage told The Tribune yesterday.
This statement comes after two men recently died when they were taken in for questioning by police. One of those deaths is currently being scrutinised in the Coroner’s Court.
Dr Nottage suggested that there are no changes in the pipeline to the way police conduct interrogations, adding that officers already have a policy and that the policy is constantly “reinforced to them all the time”.
“The police administration and certainly the Ministry of National Security accepts that we have a responsibility that where people are in custody that they should be safe from harm,” said Dr Nottage.
“We do not condone any violence of any kind against people who are suspects and the members of the police force have that reinforced to them all the time.
“Is there any need for discussion?” he asked. “Well, I guess we need to have discussions, but the discussion ought not to be necessary because everyone knows what the police order is, what the process is and as I have indicated and so has the commissioner – if policemen are found to have breached the law then they will be dealt with just like anybody else.”
Dr. Nottage was criticised this month by families of people who died in police custody. They said he failed to acknowledge them as they demonstrated in Rawson Square and begged for answers.
However, Dr. Nottage said he did not walk past them: “I didn’t walk past them. I had to be in the House of Assembly at a certain time and I was going to the House of Assembly. I never walked past them.”
Dr. Nottage added that before and after the demonstration he had spoken to and visited with the families of individuals who died in police custody, even speaking at one of the funerals.
Now, families are awaiting the results of the Coroner’s court and to see whether that evidence will warrant any kind of charges against police. It is only then, said Dr. Nottage, that he and his agency can properly “address this matter with relatives.”
“People are very emotional and I understand that,” he said. “Until the investigation is completed it’s difficult to do anything except commiserate with people, and that’s what we have done.”
Comments
proudloudandfnm 11 years ago
Man please!! Our police have been beating suspects for years! Why does this man have to constantly lie?????
Janeen75 11 years ago
It's because of situations like this that I have no faith in the police department. This should have been dealt with years ago.
TalRussell 11 years ago
Rather than Comrade Minister Bernard be talk'in sense he's saying that he sees no real need to crackdown on the arrogance of a growing number among members of the police force. No damn wonder such an culture of abuses against the very citizens they are sworn to protect is spreading among offices who seem to think there is no need to worry about even being fired for their abuses of police powers, much less face criminal prosecution for beating people?
The majority of police offers who know better must be shaking their heads in disbelief that the minister has now publicly admitted that his government is content to continue to turn a blind eye to such known police abuses.
What an admission by the minister that he does not see the signs of abuse that is so damn oblivious to many other Bahamians and among many of fine police officers from all ranks of the force?
What a sad day when the minister is not prepared to scare the living hell out of such officers who abuse Bahamians. What a let down for so many police officers who are dedicated to serve and "protect" all peoples they come into contact with, not smash the living hell out their children's bones.
Minister this is not the right message that needs delivering straight in the faces of the growing number of corrupt members who will eventually destroy the good reputation of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
And, Minister we doesn't need another Tommy T as no minister of da peoples police force?
by TalRussell
wave 11 years ago
Wow, still can't believe this party got back into power. Statements like this proves why they should not hold office.
nationbuilder 11 years ago
wow - but not surprised
gkeato 11 years ago
Why do they keep baseball bats in Jails in the Bahamas?
242gsmith 11 years ago
For those random pick me up baseball games of course.
concernedcitizen 11 years ago
and they put up billboards about the murder count ,,,unbelievable
SP 11 years ago
8 policeman charged with murder in South Africa for handcuffing and dragging a man with their jeep for parking incorrectly, who was found dead in his cell the following morning.
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540/vp...">http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540/vp...
Would their have even been a discussion in The Bahamas?
SP 11 years ago
3/30/13 - Mexican citizens community police force displaces government law enforcement because the general public has lost all confidence in local police forces due to corruption and police brutality.
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540/vp...">http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540/vp...
Are The Bahamas headed down the same path?
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