The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Succession was never a problem in the Royal Bahamas Police Force until someone decided to change the establishment/strength from a single Deputy Commissioner to two Deputy Commissioners.

It was very well known to Police Officers of that era that this was done in an effort to supersede the officer, who with seniority, special administrative training and all of the required qualifications from becoming Commissioner of Police.

During the period 1951 to 1981 the Force had its Establishment and Strength recorded on a board in the Commissioner’s Office. Divisional Commanders also had boards with the Establishment and Strength of their respective Divisions.

I can recall that the Assistant Commissioners totalled five, one of whom was the senior assistant commissioner (admin).

There was the Promotions Board, which was chaired by the Deputy Commissioner and consisted of the five Assistant Commissioners. The Commissioner provided the board with instructions on the number of promotions to be made in the ranks from Constables up to Sergeants.

The board did not deal with promotions above the rank of Sergeant. The criteria included: passing promotion exams, free of disciplinary conviction for one year and most importantly, recommendations made by Commanding Officers.

Superseding had to be explained by the Commanding Officer. The Board had to review officers personal files with the appraisals submitted by their seniors over the period of their engagement.

Commendations for outstanding performance played an important part in the process. The system was very fair, but was open to abuse by Commanders not recommending personnel with whom they experienced personal problems and the Commissioners, who could reject particular promotions.

In fact, there was one Commissioner, who upon receipt of the list of promotions from the board would either add to the list persons he wanted promoted or remove from the list those persons he rejected. He was eventually challenged by members of the board on this corrupt practice and he had to desist.

That challenge was led by the late Assistant Commissioner Courtney Strachan.

These so-called “big promotions” posed problems for commanding officers in that some personnel, who were not promoted and were of the opinion that they were more deserving than others would be disgruntled and there was likely to be a decline in efficiency and effective performance.

This type of attitude would continue for several months until promotion exercises were about to resume.

During my tenure in the higher ranks, I had frequently made recommendations to replace the “big promotions” with promotions to be made immediately after vacancies are available, either by resignations or increases in the establishment and strength of the Force.

Many of us in the upper ranks were agreeable, but we were never able to convince any commissioner to make the change. The decline in morale, performance and efficiency among those whose promotions were rejected continues.

The recommendation made provided for immediate promotion when a vacancy exists. Police personnel would maintain their efficiency as the promotion is likely at any time.

This system of promotion, which is used by other Police Forces in the UK and the Commonwealth is available to be adopted here. It is something that the Police Staff Association should be considering, for recommending to the Commissioner of Police.

Our Police Force is performing extremely well in the battle against crime.

The Commissioner’s Plan appears to be working. We must give credit to the Force and do everything possible to enhance morale. I have faith and hope, that with the implementation of the additional courts we could look forward to a safer Bahamas.

Congratulations to all of my colleagues who were promoted.

PAUL THOMPSON Sr

Nassau,

November 17, 2014.