The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

COMPLAINTS against police officers rose 19 percent in the first half of the year, while most of the cases remained unresolved, according to preliminary Royal Bahamas Police Force figures.

The force recorded 185 complaints against officers by mid-year 2026, up from 155 during the same period last year.

Of those 185 matters, 156 were still under investigation, sub judice or awaiting trial.

The increase was driven largely by internal police matters, which jumped 53 percent from 64 cases in 2025 to 98 this year.

Civilian complaints fell slightly, from 91 to 87.

Of the 87 civilian complaints, 78 were listed as under investigation or sub judice and two were pending trial.

Four cases were closed with no further action, while three were classified as unfounded. That category included matters deemed to involve insufficient evidence, be unsubstantiated, withdrawn or resolved through compensation.

Among the 98 internal police matters, 39 remained under investigation and 37 were pending trial.

Eight resulted in fines or reprimands. Five were classified as unfounded or withdrawn.

One matter involved a resignation or retirement, while four officers were discharged or interdicted and four cases involved interdiction.

None of the internal matters had been recommended for tribunal action.

The figures come amid continued concern over how quickly complaints against police officers are investigated and resolved.

Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles said last year that the force was working to rebuild public trust and disclosed that the Complaints and Corruption Branch was understaffed.

Delays in disciplinary proceedings have also featured in several high-profile cases.

In March, The Tribune reported that two disciplinary matters involving officers — the East Street South police station incident and an alleged attempt to solicit a bribe from a tourist — remained before the Police Tribunal months after the officers had been interdicted and arraigned.

More recently, an officer accused of slapping a man during a Bahamas National Basketball Team game in July was referred to the Police Tribunal after the Complaints and Corruption Unit investigated the incident.

Ms Knowles said the outcome would be made public once proceedings were completed.

The latest figures also show the volume of cases before the Police Tribunal.

By mid-year, 267 tribunal matters had been recorded, including 59 cases carried over and 56 new cases.

Of those, 42 had been completed and 38 adjourned for trial.

Twelve defendants had not been arraigned, while 23 had been arraigned.

The report also recorded 37 officers as interdicted.