Police Staff Association Supports Police Transfers:
By Deandre Williamson -
Nassau, Bahamas:

The recent decision by Police Commissioner Paul Farquharson to transfer Assistant Commissioners Marvin Dames and James Carey as well as other senior officers shows that he is in charge of the police force, Police Staff Association Executive Chairman Bradley Sands said on Tuesday.

Mr. Sands said he did not believe the recent transfers were politically motivated, although he suggested that there had been political interference under the previous administration as it regarded police promotions.

The recent transfers will affect the Royal Bahamas Police Force at large, he said.

Mr. Sands said the Police Staff Association supports and believes that the transfers will go a long way in expanding the structural and professional capacity of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and will result in more effective and professional services.

Mr. Dames, who was recently promoted to assistant commissioner of police with responsibility for air and seaports, has now been transferred to become assistant commissioner of police with responsibility for the New Providence District.

Chief Superintendent Hulan Hanna announced on Monday that Mr. Dames will be responsible for four areas of fighting crime, which include planning, traffic, operations and police reservists.

Mr. Sands said, "When we look at the areas of Marvin Dames’ portfolio, he would be able to run with this area and will be able to eliminate some of the fears that exist with crime in today’s society."

Assistant Commissioner James Carey has been reassigned from the New Providence District to the Southern Bahamas District and is responsible for the delivery of policing services that will ensure that the islands of The Bahamas remain free from crime.

Chief Superintendent Osbourne Ferguson, who formerly served as officer-in-charge of the Southern Division, has been transferred to the Internal Security Division as officer-charge.

Chief Superintendent Robert Pinder has now been posted to the Andros District as officer-in-charge.

It is quite clear that these are transfers from the commissioner of police as he seeks to restructure the Royal Bahamas Police Force to deal with the challenges that exist in the community, Mr. Sands said.

"The commissioner has a mandate and he knows where he wants his force to be, and he knows the capabilities of the persons he placed in the various positions and they will do well for the organization at large," Mr. Sands said.

Mr. Farquharson has looked at the challenges that the police force has faced and as a result he has now "restructured the transfers" that were made before the general election, Mr. Sands said.

Although Mr. Dames and others were transferred just over two months ago, Mr. Sands said it is not too soon for other transfers to be made within the RBPF.

Mr. Hanna, in his announcement, said that after a 40-year career on the RBPF, Assistant Commissioner of Police Allan Gibson will retire within six weeks.

Mr. Sands said Tuesday that police officers should be retired after serving 30 to 40 years. He said those who are not making a valuable contribution to the growth of the force should also be sent home.

He said the Police Staff Association intends to soon make recommendations for certain officers to be retired.

"We believe that as a result of the transfers, the RBPF will be better equipped to deal with the challenges that exist in the community," he said.

It is quite clear that Mr. Farquharson is moving head on in tackling the vexing problem of crime that exists in society, Mr. Sands said.

"We expect to see great benefits at the end of the day within the police force and the community with these recent transfers," he said.

More transfers are expected to be announced soon.

6 June 2007