In this column yesterday (see below for link to previous editorial) we said that if, as claimed, corruption is endemic to our society, and that this is the society from which our police force is being recruited, then a strong outside influence is needed to point these recruits in a new direction.
The trend in the Caribbean, which is plagued with the same local problems as the Bahamas, is now looking to London’s Metropolitan Police for help.
Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson, a fine role model and strong commissioner, who is presently investigating complaints from the public, is determined to root out the bad apples in his force.
We do not know his feelings on the matter of foreign recruitment, but, as do many Bahamians, we think he needs help – outside help from well disciplined, experienced police officers.
No longer can we turn to the Caribbean for recruitment.
This is the area from which many of our policemen were drawn, particularly from Barbados. However, even Barbados is in trouble and has now turned to Britain for help, because crime has also overwhelmed its local force.
It is through such recruitment that the Pindling name took root in the Bahamas. Sir Lynden’s father was a police recruit from Jamaica.
What is needed in the Bahamas at this time are policemen with no ties to the community – no ma, pa, brothers, sisters, cousins or friends to lean on them for favours and protection.
In other words no one to quietly “fix things” when they cross the law.
We recall with amusement years ago when a young staff member would remind her fellow workers whenever they annoyed her of how many uncles she could call in from the force to take care of them.
Needless to say she is no longer with The Tribune.
Foreign officers, who have no axe to grind, no favours to offer and nothing to fear, are needed in such areas as CID and the records office to make certain that no complaints fall between the cracks and no case files disappear.
The Commissioner will have to reinforce the Force’s rule book.
The foreign officers would serve their time and return to England, having set an example of discipline and integrity, leaving no trail of having been in anyone’s pocket.
We recall the days when members of the public were afraid to give so much as a Christmas gift to a serving officer. Today, gifts are not only given, but letters from members of the force soliciting donations for certain projects are written. All of this is proper if done with the approval of the Commissioner, but today how much of this slips under the radar of propriety?
Taking an officer to lunch or dinner was also against the rules as it was open to misinterpretation.
It would be helpful to both sides if the Commissioner would take out the rule book and let both public and serving officer know what is allowed and what is frowned on. And how each side should treat the other.
We recall when The Tribune and Radio Station 100 JAMZ, supported by the public, donated bullet proof vests for the police force. We wanted to find the best vests on the market for our men.
However, we ran into a few snags behind the scenes when some persons within the force were representing certain companies and, of course, were pushing their products. In what what Bahamians disparagingly refer to as “those nasty old colonial days” such practices were unheard of. Bahamian officers would not dare entertain such ideas. Ask Sir Albert Miller and Mr Conrad Knowles and others of that era who can tell you what was expected of an officer.
The Tribune has reported case files that have disappeared in the past, persons who have complaints that they cannot, no matter how hard they try, get before the courts; persons who cannot get legal representation because of public figures involved. And the list can go on and on.
And now we are faced with a future of under-educated Bahamians. Bahamians who can’t make their school grades, yet are being socially promoted up and out of the schools without qualifications.
Young people, both girls and boys, who are dabbling in drugs as 10 year olds, who by the time they hit their teens will have a police record.
Is this the level of citizens from which our future police force is to be drawn?
The situation is serious. Now is the time to come to grips with the problem and try to find solutions.
Editorial from The Tribune newspaper
Read The Tribune’s previous editorial on this topic
