The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ASSISTANT Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles said women’s achievements in Bahamian law enforcement serve as a potent reminder that gender should never be a barrier to success or excellence, even in traditionally male-dominated fields.

The 33-year veteran of the Royal Bahamas Police Force is the first woman to serve as the officer in charge of Grand Bahama and the northern district, and she hopes to advance further in her policing career.

ACP Knowles was a featured speaker on Saturday at the 10th Girls and Women Empowerment Encounter hosted by the Vessel of Purpose Elite (VOPE) girls mentoring organisation at the Pelican Bay Resort. Shasheena Rolle-Farquharson, assistant general manager of ZNS northern service, and Frankel Outten also spoke.

Ms Knowles said her journey was not easy, but has been fulfilling and rewarding. At 18, she left Rock Sound, Eleuthera, for New Providence to join the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Her first promotion came some 15 years into her career.

She noted that there are women in law enforcement who have significantly contributed to protecting and serving the country, including Ismella Davis Delancy, who made history as the first woman deputy commissioner of police in the Bahamas. She also highlighted Dr Loretta Mackey, the first woman to act as commissioner of police.

“May I claim that one day I will be commissioner of police?” ACP Knowles asked. “I am certainly honoured to be the first female commissioner to be an officer in charge of GB and the northern Bahamas district.”

ACP Knowles worked in every area of the Criminal Investigation Department, but she was passionate about addressing sexual crimes.

“Fifteen years of working in the organisation, I was never promoted, but I did not give up,” she said.

Following her promotion as the officer in charge of the Sexual Offence Section, Ms Knowles made history in January 2013 when she investigated the first human trafficking case in the country, which originated from Grand Bahama.

She travelled to Grand Bahama and picked up two women who said they were trafficked.

Ms Knowles admits that it was challenging, and the case went to the Privy Council. Although police did not secure a conviction, the case helped change the country’s laws regarding trafficking.

“Even though we did not get a conviction, what it did was change our laws, and now we see many convictions with trafficking in our country,” she said.

Ms Knowles praised the women at the Bahamas immigration and customs departments for their achievements and contributions to law enforcement.

Brenamae Cooper, founder of Vessel of Purpose Elite, said VOPE was established in 21014 and caters to girls, aged seven through 21. She said it is a mentorship programme that guides and helps young girls and women attain their goals.

“We support parents, and this is not a good or bad girls’ club; it is an organisation where girls of any age and socio-economic background can come and be empowered to be their better selves,” she said.