The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE transfer of members of the Police Staff Association (PSA) to other areas in the Royal Bahamas Police Force is something that "should have been done a long time ago", according to a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, who claimed that there were "too many people in that office in the first place".  

Paul Thompson told The Tribune he felt there was nothing "malicious" about Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade's reported decision to transfer PSA members to various stations in New Providence and Grand Bahama. He said the PSA members actually need to "come out and work" in light of the country's crime situation. 

Mr Thompson also denied suggestions that Mr Greenslade's decision was an attempt to "silence" members of the association. He did not opine on suggestions that Mr Greenslade was being used as a political tool by officials in the Ministry of National Security.  

Earlier this week, PSA Chairman Dwight Smith alleged that the Commissioner had last week reassigned a number of PSA members to other sections of the force "because crime was up" and he needed to move the officers to where crime was. 

Despite the Commissioner's reported reasons for making the decision, it was still criticised for giving the appearance that the PSA members were being punished for being outspoken in voicing their concerns about their working conditions. 

"It's just my sincere view that there are too many people in that (staff association) office in the first place," Mr Thompson said. "What the Commissioner just did should have been done a long time ago. Let them come out and work. When they are off duty, go to the office. If you need some special time for something to attend special meetings, ask for permission to do so. 

"The PSA could be run by a clerk in the office who will get all the information coming in, be able to do typing for the chairman and so on. What's wrong with the chairman when he's off going into the office? That's part of the job. But not to be there all day. What they do all day? And you have about three people, possibly four, there?"

He added: "I always wondered myself why they needed so many people in the staff association office. Now the Bahamas has all this crime, all these murders, you need people. Investigating a murder takes a lot of time and you need people to get out there. And those people there are good police officers that they could use in the crime fight. I don't think it's anything malicious or bad intention or anything like that."

On Tuesday, FNM Chairman Michael Pintard labelled Commissioner Greenslade's decision a "huge, ill-advised, miscalculation" that gives the impression that he is "seeking to silence persons who are asking legitimate questions about the working conditions of officers". 

He said that in addition to "grounding the force's morale," the decision unintentionally gives the impression that Commissioner Greenslade is being used as a political tool by Ministry of National Security officials.

Mr Thompson disagreed however, stating that the transfers do not effectively "silence" the PSA. "Transferring them will not silence them," he said. "Wherever they are they could talk. They still have the negotiations that can be carried out, and they can still speak to their people."

He also dismissed suggestions that Commissioner Greenslade was being forced to accept and translate directives handed down by government officials. 

"I really don't know (about) that," he said. "I know that I have respect for the Commissioner and I respect his views."

Tensions between the PSA and the government have escalated recently. Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the government should pay overtime to police officers who worked a 12-hour shift in late 2013 or give them the equivalent time in days off. 

State Minister for National Security Keith Bell, once a police officer, called the Supreme Court ruling a "hollow judgement", adding that the government intends to appeal. 

That matter came after accusations by PSA members that the government is doing very little to address the health concerns of officers, with Mr Smith insisting that a number of the stations around the country are infested with mould. 

On Tuesday, Mr Smith said "only time could tell" what truly inspired Commissioner Greenslade's decision to reassign members of the PSA. In the wake of the decision, Mr Smith said he is dealing with PSA issues by himself. According to him, he is the only officer presently operating under the association. 

Meanwhile, Commissioner Greenslade has dismissed the concerns raised over his decision. "I do not intend to discuss the intimate workings of the police force," Mr Greenslade said in response to questions from The Tribune on Thursday.

"We are busy dealing with crime and other matters."