The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Staff Association Chairman Dwight Smith yesterday said the organisation is prepared to take on any consequences that might result from the group’s repeated attempts to bring awareness to the “disrespect” law enforcement officers have experienced from the government.

The group, with representatives from the Bahamas Prison Officers Association (BPOA), sat in the House of Assembly’s gallery during Parliament’s morning session yesterday to get the government’s attention.

This “united stand” came after Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade reportedly denied the PSA’s request to hold a “peaceful demonstration”, Mr Smith told reporters.

As he spoke to the media on the steps of the Senate building, Mr Smith said he was aware of the recent “threats” the officers faced for taking such action.

“We stand together and our minds are made up, and whatever other threats may come, that means if they are going to threaten to take our jobs, if they are going to threaten not to promote, if they are going to threaten that they are going to rail us before the courts again, we are standing united now; we are willing to take that road.

“We stand on the basis that we can’t carry on in the same manner that they carry on. We have rights and an obligation to meet with our members and to discuss their concerns, especially when it comes to health and take it to the necessary authority. We do all of this for the security forces who lay down their lives for this country,” Mr Smith said.

Chief among their concerns is the “blatant disrespect” by officials of the Ministry of National Security and the refusal by both the minister of national security and the minister of state to meet with the respective associations.

A key health concern is the reported proliferation of mould in police stations. After government did not act on the findings of a 2013 Clear Solutions Plus mould inspection report of 25 police stations and offices around New Providence, Mr Smith said the PSA sent a letter to the director of environmental health requesting that she organise an inspection of all premises that police occupy.

According to Mr Smith, the PSA received no response.

Subsequently, the association sent a letter to the office of the commissioner of police and the minister of national security requesting the authorisation to have a “peaceful demonstration.” Mr Smith said that the request was denied a day later.

“(The) commissioner’s office said that the demonstration couldn’t be sanctioned at the time,” he said. “We are cognisant to the fact that (this) united stand today may have some consequences, but we remain firm and strong to take on that giant when it comes.”

In their 2013 report, Clear Solutions Plus found that a “significant amount” of mould was discovered that required “prompt attention” to prevent severe allergic reactions among police officers and other persons who frequent the buildings.

The price tag for the corrective measures in 2013 was projected at $187,275 for work to be completed over a 14-week period.

Mould has been a recurring issue at many government facilities around the country.

In January, as many as two-thirds of prison officers scheduled for duty at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services called in sick over a three-day period.

At the time officers took issue with the increase of mould following severe flooding in the facility.

“I can speak for the staff at Her Majesty’s Prison, we are tired and something has to be done – and we are prepared to do what we have to do because this is our lives you’re playing with,” Gregory Archer, BPOA president, said. “The key word here is respect.”

The PSA had a standoff with the government in 2013 over the introduction of a 12-hour shift for police. At the time, the PSA asked the government to compensate officers for the overtime worked and to treat police with dignity.

Mr Smith, weeks after raising these concerns, and days before the PSA’s election, was arrested, “strip searched”, and had his home searched for weapons. He was later arraigned on indecent assault charges, however that trial has not yet begun.

When contacted about these claims yesterday, Mr Bell told The Tribune that the Ministry of National Security continues to “exercise a very high degree of tolerance and professionalism towards (its) officers and agencies.”

He added that the ministry and its law enforcement agencies also stand ready to effectively deal with any breaks in its ranks at all times.

Senator Bell, himself a former police officer, has maintained a contentious working relationship with both associations since he was appointed in 2012.

In March, Mr Bell claimed that the PSA had become a “political tool”, and questioned how Mr Smith could remain at the helm of the PSA amid the ongoing indecent assault case. He also said the PSA and the BPOA were acting like unions, and pledged that the government would “deal with this.”