The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

The violent attack on the 117th United States Congress and US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 6th must be of concern to law-enforcement agencies and democratic governments and societies around the world, particularly in this region.

Media reports disclosed that the Chief of Police received information from the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the New York Police Department of the likelihood of violent conduct from a so-called peaceful crowd of demonstrators who would be marching to the Capitol City. The Chief of Police and his executives would have observed the gross misconduct of some groups at a large number of demonstrations, eg “Black Lives Matter” and the Pro-Trump supporters against the election results.

The violence and looting demonstrated by groups infiltrating the “Black Lives Matter” protesters and the violent moods of those protesting the election should have been signs of what could have been expected in the Capitol City. The Chief of Police claims that he applied to a political office to get approval for reinforcements days prior to the march. He claims that he made six applications for resources from the National Guard to supplement his Police Unit. His applications were refused. The National Guard was activated in the middle of the attack, in which one policeman was killed and several others injured.

The protection of international and national events, parliamentarians and judicial officials and high profile visitors is the responsibility of the Commissioner of Police and the Royal Bahamas Police Force. We have been well trained by the United Kingdom Police Officers, who were the responsible police administration in our Colonial past. Those of us who attended Police Colleges in the UK were exposed to an extensive amount of this training, including Crowd Control and Police Preparation for any and all incidents. The risks involved with the so-called peaceful incidents. The risks involved with the so-called peaceful protests and marches may be heightened by one or more of the following: the size of the crowd; the sensitivity of the issues, the level of rhetoric being used by those opposed, the manner in which the media (Talk Shows in particular) present the issues and the demeanor of the leaders and the public.

Most important are awareness of and alertness to pre-incident indicators as important means to prevent problems from developing. Pre-incident indicators are any signals that an attack is being planned, about to or likely to occur. A surveillance detection programme may be the most important security precaution that can be taken as it could provide information on criminal elements involved, whose agenda is to create mischief and aid and abet violence and disorder. Nothing to do with the issues.

Our Security and Intelligence Branch of the Force has been efficient and effective over the decades. The branch was started by the British and continues to be an important Unit of our Police Service. We also have the National Intelligence Unit. The Royal Bahamas Police Force has been excellent in providing, security and safety services to royalty, (UK & Arab), Presidents, Prime Ministers, movie stars and many other high profile visitors. The Force has been commended and awarded by Her Majesty the Queen for the administrative and security services provided during her visits to The Bahamas. Prime Ministers of CHOGM have made commendable remarks about us.

We had our share of high profile visitors, who were targets for death in their own countries. Most notable among them was the Shah of Iran, who resided in a house at the Ocean Club for a few months. He hired security personnel from the USA and The Bahamas. There was the leader of an African nation, who could not return to his country after a coup d’état.

Politicians, union leaders, media personnel and others who criticise the Police for their presence at protests, marches and demonstrations should learn from the Washington incident. It is very true that our Constitution provides for freedom of Speech, protests, demonstrations and marches. However, the security, safety, comfort and freedom of movement of those of us not involved in the protests must be protected. Police intervention in the approval of applications to protest, etc, is needed (a) To control the movement of traffic, (b) To ensure, that there is no clash with another protesting group; (c) To ensure, that the event is adequately policed for the prevention of crime and to preserve good order.

We had our share of the so-called “peaceful” demonstration when taxi drivers closed our Airport by parking vehicles blocking all entrances and exits. The Police were unprepared. A general strike involving hotels and supported by BEC and other unions. Police Officers holding barricades were hit on their fingers and sprayed with mace. Arrests were made. A group of the protesters proceeded to Central Station, but were met by armed Police personnel. Bottles were thrown at a tour bus at a Cable Beach hotel. A boy was injured. Paradise Island Bridge was blocked and a man, who was mistaken to be a hotel executive, was pulled from his car and assaulted. A group of Church leaders on a march to ZNS studio were stopped at the gate. Their demonstration was to take place outside the gate, which was locked by security personnel. They took the gate off the hinges and entered.

Finally, the most frightening of all. I was sent to the airport for crowd control. The commissioner had permitted a group of senators, bishops and other high profile Bahamians to demonstrate peacefully in an area where the Cuban delegation would exit the airport for the visit to the Attorney General’s Office to discuss settlement for the lives lost and the destruction of the Defence Force boat. On arrival at the airport I met with the group of about 20 high profile Bahamians led by a government senator. I was given the assurance that they would stand on the side of the street and hold the placards. I trusted them. Superintendent Grafton Ifill of the Security & Intelligence Branch warned me that there would be misconduct and advised that we use another exit bypassing the protesters. I did not agree. As the limo with the delegation from Cuba reached the area of protest the protesters blocked the road and used the placards to bang on the vehicles. In the limo were two Cuban military personnel with the delegates. They were armed. Had they panicked there could have been gun shots and injuries. I was spoken to very harshly by the A G Paul Adderley for not heeding the advice of Special Branch. He understood my reason which was trust in the caliber of persons demonstrating.

Crimes committed against political leaders, judicial executives and other high profile persons will continue to be a fact of life. Assaults on institutions, such as Parliament buildings, international and national events such as the Capitol in Washington, DC, and the House of Parliament in Port of Spain, Trinidad, will continue. No protective measure will ever entirely eliminate the threat. However, proactive planning is an effective means of eradicating attempts and maintaining control.

PAUL THOMPSON, Sr, ACP-Ret.

Nassau,

January 28, 2021.