By KYLE WALKINE
Tribune Staff Reporter
kwalkine@tribunemedia.net
TOO many people decide to mete out “street justice” and not allow the legal system to do its job, especially when it comes to threats of death, according to head of the Central Detective Unit, Superintendent Paul Rolle.
Supt Rolle said that while police take death threats very seriously and investigate every one that is brought before them, there are some people who want “instant” results and don’t give police enough time to thoroughly carry out their investigations.
“We live in a country where people want instant results,” Supt Rolle told The Tribune. “People want instant justice. We don’t do that.”
“Nowadays we see where people want to time you
after they report a death threat. Some tell you to deal with something by a certain time or they will deal with it themselves. Just because someone says that a person has threatened them doesn’t mean we can just arrest them. We have to investigate.”
Supt Rolle, who is head of the Homicide Division, said at times there is an ongoing feud between a murder victim and the person accused of their death.
“Some matters are reported to the police,” he said. “Then there are some that aren’t. Some people decide to deal with it on their own.”
He said that is why it’s important for police to meet with family members immediately after their relative is murdered, as this is when they get an idea of who the victim really might be.
“There are some instances when people report their matter to the police and we deal with it,” he said. “But just because the police dealt with the matter doesn’t mean the grieving person is satisfied. Some still want blood.”
“So you have instances where you have persons go to court and are charged. But they may come back out and they, or the grieving, want revenge.”
Supt Rolle said his position is that people ought to learn to respect the established system. He said if a matter is before the court then people must allow the system to take its course.
National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage recently told The Tribune that his ministry takes death threats very seriously and that he is confident in the work members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) are doing in investigating such matters.
The issue of death threats has been brought to the forefront in recent weeks.
The mother of 18-year-old Haywood Thompson said her son had received threatening messages weeks before he was found stabbed to death in Eleuthera on July 6. Those threats, she said, were reported to police in Governor’s Harbour.
Recently Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner expressed her disappointment in receiving no word from the police for three months about a death threat she received in March.
It was later revealed that another letter had been sent threatening the lives of several FNM members, including FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, FNM Chairman Darron Cash and Deputy Chairmen Dr Duane Sands and Brensil Rolle.
In the wake of those threats, Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade assured the FNM members that they can go about their normal lives without fear because the matter was being taken care of.
He also denied concerns that the police department was “slow” to investigate the claims.
Comments
Thinker 9 years, 9 months ago
Maybe the established system isn't respectable. It does amaze me that there isn't a better system on this teeny tiny sliver of 7 x 21 mile piece of land. I have some ideas, want to hear? I don't even think it would include any law abiding citizen's rights being violated.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago
at times there is an ongoing feud between a murder victim and the person accused of their death.
Ok...
SP 9 years, 9 months ago
Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner is once again exaggerating, just as she told us for 5 years she was the best educated person in the country.
All KFC, Dunken Donuts and Carl's Jr. said was they have no immediate plans to join Domino's Pizza with delivery services. How is that a death threat?
BLT-LBT needs to shut up!
sheeprunner12 9 years, 9 months ago
This has been the Bahamian modus operandi for at least the past thirty years with the all for me baby culture created by the PLP in the seventies........ DUHHHHHH
DillyTree 9 years, 9 months ago
"Supt Rolle said his position is that people ought to learn to respect the established system"
What planet does Supt. Rolle live on? The system is broken. It does not work in its present form. Even the police are fed up, as they arrest crimminals only to have them back on the streets the next day on bail -- free to commit more crimes. And how long does the average court case take just to come to trial? Poliitcs aside (as neither party has the moral high ground here), the system needs to be fixed. No wonder people want to take matters into their own hands.
At this rate, anarchy is just around the corner! March on Bahamaland...
ADubbs 9 years, 9 months ago
Talk to the magistrates. They're doing a lousy job, and it prompts people to seek other measures. A few months ago there was a story of a woman who was beaten badly by a man and may not recover sight in one of her eyes, and the man had to pay a fine that wouldn't even cover her medical expenses. A few weeks ago, two people found guilty of theft were told to pay the victim back, apologize, and do community service. Justice does not prevail in this country!
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago
As with everything else, it's not "all" magistrates that are doing lousy jobs. I had the misfortune of attending a court proceeding and was witness to some real Solomon style wisdom from a sitting magistrate. No nonsense sensible rulings and judgements. My only negative observation was that the larger part of the cases seemed to get postponed for one silly reason or another (not the fault of the magistrate, witnesses, evidence not ready etc)
The_Oracle 9 years, 9 months ago
The youth are not stupid, even though possibly ill educated, they see the garbage that passes for Justice served in the courts, they have felt the heavy hand of a police officer using brute force against them, They see that Justice is selective. Vigilante Justice always appears where ever corruption and selective justice is widespread and worse, accepted.
MaLambee 9 years, 9 months ago
Work from top down. Clean up the top and those at the top when they are fully clean can do a better job. If this does not happen, the bloodshed, mindset and ignorance will continue.. It is quite simple but oh so complex because bahamians are greedy and selfish.. starting from top to bottom
sheeprunner12 9 years, 9 months ago
The "top" has the power and control of the money ...... who will give it up?
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