The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

RETIRED Chief Superintendent Basil V Rahming was remembered as an outstanding police officer who served with excellence in all aspects of his career on the police force, and as a honourable family and Christian man.

Rahming, 69, of Freeport, served on the Royal Bahamas Police Force for some 40 years, and later joined the Road Traffic Department where he was appointed deputy controller in charge of the Freeport department.

A full military service was held on Friday at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Pinder’s Point where he was a faithful member.

Many attended the service, including Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson who said Rahming’s outstanding work ethic and achievement serves as an inspiration not only to him, but to many police officers.

He said: “I found him to be a good man with good qualities. As I read through his file I was not only inspired and encouraged, but I felt a strong sense of gratitude; I was inspired by his obvious desire to excel in policing, and to serve; and to see that he had fulfilled that desire.”

Rahming joined the force in 1968, two years after the Bahamas Police Force was changed to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

“He made a grand entrance (into the force), receiving the Baton of Honour in A Squad 1968. His desire to be the best police officer he could propelled him and guided him through a long successful policing career,” the police chief said.

He noted that the veteran officer was described as an outstanding officer by his colleagues. “They said he was old school, from the old guard. That his loyalty was for God, family organisation and country,” Commissioner Ferguson noted. “He never watched the clock, and always showed up when called on at any hour and without complaints or expectation, or payment for extra hours worked.”

Commissioner Ferguson stated that Rahming was considered an asset to the RBPF. “He loved the job and spared no effort in getting the job done right. He was not a clock watcher so extra hours was like nothing to him. He was a good leader, a well-rounded and experienced officer having worked in practically all divisions in GB, and the Family Islands, and New Providence,” he said.

Monique Coakley and Nicola Rahming Hanna also paid tribute their father. Mrs Hanna described her father as an honourable man who did not compromise his principles as an officer. “I recalled spending time in Berry Islands and everyone on the island knew him and loved (him), and even the one prisoner,” she said, sharing a bit of humour with the congregation.

Mrs Hanna said that her father knew a lot of Bahamian history and if she needed to verify something she could always call him. She also noted that her father honoured his oath as a police officer and the organisation’s code of conduct.

“He was a father, mentor, uncle, and so much more. Daddy was a great man who served and sought no praise. Daddy did not let anything bother him. In the midst of a bad situation, he always shared something positive, I am so proud to be his daughter,” she said.

Rahming is survived by his wife, Sarah, and his children, Ms Coakley, Mrs Hanna, Latoya Rahming and Deandria Jones, and D’Angelo Jones.