An intensive investigation is being conducted into serious allegations of "unlawful and unethical practices" on the part of a member of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, a release from the force said yesterday.
Police Commissioner Paul Farquharson said that it has come to his attention that a number of persons acting in the name of the police force are soliciting funds, services and goods from persons and businesses.
Therefore, with immediate effect any police officer, police reservist or police civilian requesting funds, services or goods without the proper authorization of the office of the Commissioner of Police in writing should be denied and that person be reported to the police complaints and corruption unit. While from time to time organisations and persons of goodwill have made contributions to the police force, with immediate effect all and any donations to the force will only be considered after a letter of request is submitted to the Commissioner of Police.
These strong steps come after a matter involving allegations of "unlawful and unethical practices" on the part of a member of the police force was exposed in The Tribune.
The force has received a copy of these serious allegations and an intensive investigation has commenced to establish the validity of these claims.
"The Royal Bahamas Police Force is mandated to uphold all laws of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Toward this end no member of the force, regardless of rank or tenure, is above or outside the bounds of the rule of law.
"The public is again assured that any and all allegations of corruption or unethical behaviour on the part of police officers, police reservists or police civilians will be thoroughly investigated in accordance with Force's policy and the relevant laws of the Bahamas," the Royal Bahamas Police Force said.
Source: The Tribune
