FORMER senior police officers have expressed “serious disquiet: over the force’s handling of rape allegations against Works Minister Bradley Roberts.
A group of retired policemen said procedures adopted by investigators were “unprecedented” and a cause for major concern.
They complained particularly about detectives conducting a meeting between Mr Roberts and his accuser, and said officers had waited far too long before following up the complaint.
In addition, they described yesterday’s press conference by Commissioner Paul Farqhuarson in relation to the complaint as “unheard of” in the history of the force.
Concerns
One officer said: “It bothers me because we have a good police force. But they have gone about things the wrong way and it is causing serious concern among many retired officers.
“They took too long to question this man. If this had been an ﾑordinary’ person, they would have questioned him that day and taken appropriate action.
“As for the meeting at the CID office, no police force does that. Now we have a press conference. What’s going on?”
The officer added: “It is unprecedented having a meeting between the accuser and the accused in a police office. Other officers are expressing disquiet because this complaint, it seemed, was not investigated properly in the early stages.
Action
“If it had been anyone else, the person would have been picked up the same day. Once you have completed the investigation, you send the file to the Attorney General’s Office, which then makes a determination on what action, if any, to take.”
There was also concern among Tribune readers, who urged police action against a Baptist preacher who allegedly tried to “pressure” the accuser into withdrawing her claims.
One, a civil servant who wanted to remain anonymous, said political interference with the judicial process was becoming a major issue in the Bahamas.
“The police force and judiciary are supposed to be independent of political influence in any civilised society.”
The reader felt the preacher could have been influenced by political connections and tried to interfere with the processes of law.
Scared
“As for the police, the impression one gets is that they are like scared rabbits whenever anyone with high-level political connections is under investigation.
“Now is the time for us to decide whether we are a free society, or whether our laws apply only to those who are not in a position to evade them.”
Mr Roberts has strongly denied his accuser’s claims and has threatened newspapers and radio stations with legal action if they continue to publicise her accusations.
Reprinted wiht permission from The Tribune
