The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said yesterday FNM members who have reported “death threats” can “go about their normal lives without fear” because the Royal Bahamas Police Force is “taking care of the issue”.

He also denied reports that the police department was “slow” to investigate the claims. Mr Greenslade said there is a plan in place to protect those who have been threatened, but said he could not reveal exactly what those plans are.

His comments came after FNM Deputy Loretta Butler-Turner revealed that she had received a graphic death threat in March and then a phone call last Tuesday warning her to be careful.

Hours after Mrs Butler-Turner held a press conference at her home to discuss the threats, FNM chairman Darron Cash revealed that the party’s leader Dr Hubert Minnis had also received two threatening letters – one naming several FNMs on March 24 and another on February 17, with general threats to the party. The letters were turned over to the police with a request for officials to investigate.

“I do not have an update on the investigation because if  I were to give the public an update or if I were to speak callously about that, then obviously I will hinder the investigation,” Mr Greenslade said.

“I have spoken to the people that I should have spoken to and a competent and capable police department is able to say today to the persons concerned that have lodged complaints can go about their normal business undeterred without any fear of being harmed in any way.”

In an earlier interview with The Tribune, Mrs Butler-Turner said she has heard “little from police since making her report”. She said she met with high ranking officers, including Mr Greenslade, but there was still “no progress up to this point”.

However, Mr Greenslade said police handled the situation as soon as they were made aware.

“This is totally incorrect,” he said. “I am not going to be drawn into any debate in this issue. The persons in authority who should have spoken to me as Commissioner spoke to me. The persons in authority who wished to speak to the Deputy Commissioner of police did just that and followed up with paperwork. I am satisfied that the professional police force has done what should have been done and on a daily basis is continuing to do what is required. I will not have this discussion in public.”

The FNM has said they will not be intimidated by idle threats and distractions and will continue to go about their lives normally.