The Tribune

By Earyel Bowleg

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Commissioner Anthony Rolle defended his appointment amid criticism from the Free National Movement (FNM).

“I have 35 years in this Royal Bahamas Police Force. So if that don’t count for something, then I don’t know what do. I’ve put in the work and God has rewarded me. Promotion doesn’t come from man, you know. Doesn’t come from the east, doesn’t come from the West, not as South, but from God,” he told The Tribune at the sideline of an event.

Former National Security Minister Marvin Dames told The Tribune last week that contract awards to senior police officers have increased under the Davis administration, arguing that the absence of well-defined guidelines for awarding such contracts undermines the force’s independence.

Asked about Mr Dames bringing up his contracts, he said: “I have nothing to say on that one” and then proceed to walk off.

Latrae Rahming, director of communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, said Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis directed the cancellation of a nearly $1m contract awarded to a company founded by Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Rolle,

Mr Rahming said DCP Rolle also volunteered to end the contract due to his more senior appointment.

In February 2024, Priority Security Services secured a $947,000 contract to provide security services for the Post Office Department.

Last month, Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard said he wrote to Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, expressing strong opposition to his intention to appoint Anthony Rolle as deputy commissioner of police.

Despite his objection, Mr Rolle and Kirkwood Andrews were sworn in as deputy commissioners at Government House on Sunday.

Before their promotions, Mr Rolle served as an assistant commissioner of police, while Mr Andrews held the position of senior assistant commissioner.

As part of his constitutional requirement to consult the opposition leader on such appointments, Mr Davis told Mr Pintard about his choices before the men were appointed.

Mr Pintard said he told Mr Davis he did not oppose Mr Andrews’s appointment as senior deputy commissioner, just as he did not oppose Shanta Knowles’ appointment as commissioner.

As part of his constitutional requirement to consult the opposition leader on such appointments, Mr Davis told Mr Pintard about his choices before the men were appointed.

“ASP Rolle is not regarded as what is needed at this critical juncture to spearhead the restitution of the reputation of the Royal Bahamas Police Force,” he told The Tribune.

“His appointment, we warned the prime minister in our response, may very well undermine the government’s stated goal of reforming the organistion and furthermore, and you can see by the CV that they provided, he does not possess the skillset and breadth of experience needed to devise and implement a strategic policing plan, which is desperately needed at this time.”

The Office of the Prime Minister released a statement condemning Mr Pintard’s commentary about Mr Rolle as “irresponsible”.

Mr Davis said Mr Pintard’s comments were “unfounded and unhelpful”.

He described Mr Rolle as a “leader who has dedicated decades of service to protecting our communities, often at great personal sacrifices”.