Father ‘asked police to transfer his son’ before suspected suicide

Officers giving a salute as a body is taken from the scene. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

As of Monday, May 17, 2021

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Senior Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE father of a police officer who is suspected to have committed suicide in Grand Bahama on Friday desperately wanted his son transferred off the island out of concern for his well-being.

In a voice note released over the weekend, Robert Wright Sr said he “noticed signs” in his son, Robert Wright, about three weeks ago that alarmed him and he pleaded with a top police officer for his son to be transferred to a different island.

“I said even if it’s Inagua, some place, get him away so he could be at peace,” he said in the recording.

Mr Wright, Sr, declined to comment yesterday on the death of his son, telling The Tribune he has discussed the matter so much in recent days.

However, he expressed anger in the recording that his son was not transferred as he requested.

Yesterday, Police Commissioner Paul Rolle said there will be an investigation into Mr Wright’s death.

“I extend condolences to his family, especially his father, who was a squad mate of mine, C-Squad 1983, as they go through this most difficult time of losing their loved one,” he told The Tribune. “The death will be investigated to determine the full circumstances as to what may have led to the officer’s death.”

Police said officers on Grand Bahama became concerned on Friday about the whereabouts of an officer who had not been seen or heard from since before 8am that day by friends and colleagues.

Assistant Commissioner Ashton Greenslade told reporters in Grand Bahama that the officer worked the late shift and left the station around 7.30 to get some food, but never returned.

“Officers then began an island-wide search and shortly before 8pm, the body of a male police officer was discovered in the Deadman’s Reef area in his vehicle with a single gunshot wound to the head,” the Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a crime report.

His service revolver was in his right hand, ACP Greenslade said.

Officers lined the street to salute the deceased officer as his body was removed from the scene.

Suicides rose by 38 percent in 2020 compared to 2019, according to RBPF statistics. Last year, there were 11 suicide victims, including 10 men and one woman. The rate of suicide has increased in recent years.

In 2019, the United Nations reported that the rate of suicide among men in The Bahamas is more than five times higher than women.

ThisIsOurs 2 years, 12 months ago

sad sad sad

John 2 years, 12 months ago

“I said even if it’s Inagua, some place, get him away so he could be at peace,” he said in the recording.

The plea for help was ignored or not taken serious enough.. It could have saved a life

ThisIsOurs 2 years, 12 months ago

it would be a good thing if every employer were to grant every employee a mental health day. A mandatory no work contact/calls day that must be taken once per quarter. And call it exactly that to bring attention to the fact that mental health and a strong mind is the most powerful thing anyone can have.

For the spiritual among us its said we wrestle not against flesh and blood...Hally Moultrie know what I talking bout, so if its not flesh and blood where's the battle? Its in the mind. Guard what your eyes, ears, noses and mouths allow your mind to experience.

SP 2 years, 12 months ago

Mr. Robert Wright Sr. plea for his son to be transferred fell on deaf ears of insensitive senior officers. Typical of the police!

The police are well known to be void of any sensitivity, common sense, or compassion.

Cobalt 2 years, 12 months ago

Please just stop it! It’s not the police so much as it is Bahamian culture. Sensitivity and compassion are not common attributes among Bahamian people period!

John 2 years, 11 months ago

Grasp every opportunity to bash Bahamians, you worker if iniquity.

Cobalt 2 years, 11 months ago

Adults are talking now. I’ll play with you tomorrow. In the meantime, go work on your grammar. Use spellcheck if need be. I’ll check your homework before you go to bed.

tribanon 2 years, 11 months ago

And it's not so much Bahamian culture, or even COVID-19, as it is Minnis and what he's done to destroy the lives of so many of our people over the last 4 years.

thephoenix562 2 years, 11 months ago

In which job can someone else ask for a transfer of an adult ? He has no standing.

oggiedog1 2 years, 11 months ago

On what basing that statement on? We have to be careful not to get so caught up in emotions. I am deeply sadden for the family lost but first and foremost let us remember that the police force hire men and women, not children. So a father pleading for his son to be transferred to an unfamiliar island is not always best. That is what caused the riot in Bimini many years ago. The best option would be to leave him there where there are resources to help him cope, not a remote island because his father said so. Let's be real now and stop talking for talking sake. What about other Bahamians who are mentally going through the same thing right now? Who is at fault or responsible?

bahamianson 2 years, 11 months ago

how about a vacation day? just take a vacation day free from people. my heart goes out to the officer , the family, and all whom were affected by this. may we listen to each other , be a little more sensitive, and also put ourselves in the other person's shoes. much prayer and love.

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