I am privileged to present my Policy Statement for 2006. In 2000, I pledged that the Force would maintain total quality law enforcement service as we embarked on a new order. Accordingly, I set five goals and related objectives to accomplish this feat. They were listed as follows:
1. To reduce crime;
2. To ensure public tranquility;
3. To revitalize community relations;
4. To enhance public safety; and
5. To maximize management of resources.
In five (5) short years, I wholeheartedly believe the Force has made significant strides in making The Bahamas a safer place for all citizens and visitors. By the end of 2001, crime decreased significantly with a 42% decrease in murder. However, traffic fatalities increased and estimated fire loss netted millions of dollars in damages. To augment these problems, the world was on a heightened terrorism alert and there was a serious need to improve our overall effectiveness.
Accordingly, twelve (12) new goals were drafted in 2002 to adjust to the changing environment. The new goals were to:
1. Increase efficiency and effectiveness in all Police operations;
2. Heighten community security, safety and interest;
3. Promote public confidence by improving response time to reported incidents;
4. Alleviate traffic congestion in problem areas;
5. Establish a Legal Department;
6. Improve physical structures and accommodations on Family Islands;
7. Improve effectiveness in the prosecution of crimes;
8. Establish a new Exhibit Department;
9. Promote community relations;
10. Foster closer working relations between civilians, reserves and police officers;
11. Improve the Fire Department; and
12. Improve operations of fingerprinting and criminal records.
In setting the goals and objectives for 2006, it is important to note that further advancement in these endeavors would not be possible without the sheer determination and vigorous efforts made by all members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force since 2002. Having completed a gap analysis and evaluation of our current state, it is fair to note that the Force was able to achieve most of its goals outlined in the Policing Plan for 2002.
In retrospect, our categorical success in terms of reducing the crime rate by 26%, detecting crime in progress and establishing an internationally renowned and award winning Urban Renewal Project, speak volumes of our focus over the past four (4) years. The end result of these efforts has undoubtedly set the stage for public tranquility throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
In our analysis, we consider both the quantitative elements of crime as well as the qualitative aspects of the fear of crime and disorder in The Bahamas. While there was a decrease in the overall crime rate, we will redirect our resources to matters that continue to inflate our crime figures including murder, armed robberies, housebreakings and stolen vehicles. Reductions and additional detections in these areas will consequently reduce the fear of crime in areas where these incidents are rampant.
Other goals achieved over the years include the establishment of a Legal Department and an ongoing refurbishment of the Police Exhibit Room. Moreover, the implementation of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System allowed the Force to improve its operations in fingerprinting and criminal records research. In addition to opening five (5) new stations and renovating three (3) others, there were significant upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of all major Family Island police stations.
Conversely, the addition of five (5) freightliner fire trucks to our fleet was successful to some extent in helping us realize our fire fighting goals and objectives. Similarly, we did not fully achieve our crime goals as preliminary figures indicate the detection rate decreased in 2005. Additionally, several other goals were hampered as a direct result of natural disasters, which damaged physical resources and impacted our levels of efficiency and effectiveness.
Notwithstanding, our aim is to continuously improve service and maintain an environment where the best possible conditions prevail. As a result of recent trends and review of past performance, our recourse is entwined in a new set of goals and objectives. The end result is geared toward closing the gap to allow us to advance to our desired future state. To this end, eight (8) goals are presented for 2006 which are centered around:
1. Training;
2. Reducing crime;
3. Increasing public safety and tranquility;
4. Improving Road Safety;
5. Improving efficiency of Fire Department;
6. Upgrading Family Island facilities;
7. Improving community relations; and
8. Management and accountability.
In view of the fact that there was no significant increase in police resources over the fiscal year, it is essential for us to efficiently utilize the resources allocated to our charge. In our quest to attain realistic goals specified under the Force Management Program, it is imperative to garner support from the community and each member of the Police Force who will be the driving force behind its success. The Program has been in operation since 1997, and to date, I am sufficiently satisfied that it provides a firm basis for managerial consultation and guidance.
Goal one (1) – TRAINING
“To ensure that all members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force are kept up to date with current policies and practices through continuous training to increase efficiency and effectiveness.”
There is an inextricable link between the growth and success of any organization and the degree of training offered to its employees. In order to maximize potential and increase productivity, we must ensure that each member of the Royal Bahamas Police Force is properly trained and retrained in their various disciplines. Transformation into a learning organization will afford us the flexibility to adjust and manage the changing police environment.
Accordingly, the following objectives are set to achieve the stated goal.
1. Mandate the Research and Planning Unit to review oversees courses and seminars offered by different police forces and identify local officers to attend relevant training;
2. Mandate Police College to publish annual handbook outlining local courses offered for application;
3. Secure training and retraining for instructors at Police College to ensure that they are updated on current and best practices in their area of discipline;
4. Introduce a Family Island Policing Course and Intelligence Gathering Course at the Police Training College;
5. Implement ‘new to the role’ courses and require newly promoted supervisors and managers to attend for briefing on their duties and expectations; and
6. Sanction mock disasters, traffic incidents and crime scene investigations to sharpen skills of field officers.
“To significantly reduce the levels of crime which affect the quality of life and cause damage to personal property by 5% while simultaneously bringing perpetrators of these crimes to justice.”
Preliminary figures for 2005 indicate that overall crime in The Bahamas decreased by 26%. Crimes against the person increased by 10%, while crimes against the property decreased by 31%. Although attempts will be made to reduce each category of crime, priority will be given to serious crimes such as murder, armed robbery, housebreaking and stolen vehicles. In achieving this goal, we anticipate that more offenders will be brought to justice and that there will be an increase in the recovery rate of stolen property.
While the Police Force is mandated to enforce all the laws of the land, it is essential to involve the community in the fight against crime. Therefore, we will continue to support crime deterrence initiatives implemented by different communities such as Neighborhood Watch Schemes and accommodate concerns and recommendations forwarded by the Ministry of National Security, Consultative Committees, Public Services and the general public. As a caveat, the public should be encouraged to act positively in giving the Police information when they witness the occurrence of a crime.
Accordingly the following objectives are set to achieve the stated goal.
“To create safer public environments conducive to family bonding and social entertainment by reducing the number of offences and external threats that affect public tranquility.”
Preserving peace is one of the Force’s primary functions. The definition of tranquility varies throughout the communities, because acceptable behavior in one area may not be tolerated in other areas. Divisional commanders have an open door policy to address concerns forwarded by members of the public. Likewise, they must continue to review recommendations made by the various Police Consultative Committees that are of serious concern.
Of particular note are reports of groups of young men engaging in disorderly behavior, which causes anxiety and frustration at public events. This problem is fueled when the liquor license legislation is not enforced, which leads to public drunkenness and damage, particularly when individuals are underage. Graffiti tagging continues to be a serious problem because it manifests fear among residents that live in targeted areas. It also devalues communities and erodes the social fabric.
Accordingly, the following objectives are set to achieve the stated goal.
1. Increase police presence in high crime areas via foot and mobile patrols.
2. Increase use of beacon lights at night in troubled areas as a deterrent to crime;
3. Establish youth programs such as marching bands, study centers and police as mentors to discourage delinquent behavior;
4. Vigorously inspect liquor license premises and ensure compliance with liquor laws; and
5. Educate youth on the importance of preserving and respecting their community.
Part two (2) of this goal deals with the necessity to revamp our response to natural and man-made disasters. This has become apparent given the devastation caused by the most recent hurricanes as well as the abnormal amount of natural disasters occurring around the world and the need to plan effectively for future disasters. The post 9/11 climate and reported threats in other areas of the world has affected all countries and placed its leaders on high guard.
Accordingly, the following objectives are set to achieve part two (2) of the stated goal.
“To improve all aspects of road safety for commuters by introducing traffic initiatives and sternly enforcing traffic laws.”
Traffic fatalities remain one of our greatest concerns as these figures continue to increase. Such matters are consequences of road rage, noncompliance with traffic signals, reckless driving, speeding and driving under the influence of a substance. While it is impossible for us to monitor all commuters in their day-to-day commute, we hold the advantage to exercise stringent measures that may avoid some traffic fatalities and mishaps.
Accordingly, the following objectives are set to achieve the stated goal.
“To improve efficiency of the Police Fire Department in an effort to increase the response time to fire mishaps and reduce the extent of fire damage.”
Over the past several years, there has been a significant increase in fire calls to the Fire Department. Similarly, the estimated damage caused by fire continues to increase each year. In 2001, fire damage was estimated at $44.1 million and the trajectory for fire calls over the past three years totaled 1,865, 1,715 and 2,343 respectively. As noted in 2001, the Fire Department lacked critical manpower, equipment and training which to some extent continues to be the case.
Accordingly, the following objectives are set to achieve the stated goal.
1. Establish a Fire Station on Paradise Island for swift response to fire calls on that Island;
2. Establish a Fire Station in Abaco and other Family Islands to respond to the increasing number of fire calls;
3. Rebuild Fire Station in Grand Bahama that was destroyed by hurricanes in 2004;
4. Secure mobile pumps to extract water to extinguish fires in areas where the terrain is inaccessible to fire appliances;
5. Acquire additional fire trucks for deployment at local stations as well as those on the Family Islands;
6. Ensure that fire hydrants are strategically installed and maintained in appropriate locations;
7. Continuously train and retrain officers to utilize fire equipment; and
8. Rekindle public relations campaign via print and broadcasting media on ‘Fire Safety and Prevention.’
“To improve facilities on Family Islands to allow officers access to standardized accommodation and the latest technology in the execution of their duties.”
The devastation caused by hurricanes Jeanne and Frances in 2004 reaped havoc on existing resources in the Family Islands. Undoubtedly, this has stifled progress in terms of improving physical structures and upgrading information technology. It has also had a tremendous effect on police response in these areas. While it is obvious that budgetary constraints exist, all efforts will be made to ensure that police officers throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas has full access to the same types of accommodation and resources allocated to their counterparts in New Providence and Grand Bahama.
Accordingly, the following objectives are set to achieve the stated goal.
1. Deploy research teams to conduct needs assessment analysis and manpower audit on all major Family Islands;
2. Evaluate current conditions of all Family Island facilities;
3. Weigh upgrade and refurbishment projects on a priority basis;
4. Deploy necessary resources allocated to facilitate refurbishment and upgrade; and
5. Ensure proper upkeep of Family Island facilities through annual inspections by the Inspection and Review Branch.
Goal seven (7) – IMPROVE COMMUNITY RELATIONS
“To forge closer ties with members of the community as well as the various community sectors in an effort to garner trust and unwavering public support”
Undoubtedly, the Force has reaped enormous benefit from community support through the implementation of several substantive initiatives that will continue in 2006. The most significant of these endeavors are the Urban Renal Projects, School Base Policing and the Police Tourism Unit. In light of this fact, the importance of having a good rapport with the community cannot be overemphasized.
Since its inception, the Urban Renewal Initiatives have revolutionized the manner in which policing is executed. As a result of our ambitious drive to liaise with different agencies and raise the quality of life, the Force won the coveted Motorola Award from the ACCP and the International Community Policing Award from the IACP. These achievements are indicative of the fact that the Police Force is effectively fulfilling its obligations to deliver total quality law enforcement service to the Bahamian people.
To compliment our efforts, we are ensuring that our nation’s youth are developed into model citizens. To date, we have mobilized the School Policing Unit to investigate and stem criminal and gang activities occurring in schools. This initiative also seeks to counsel at risk youth on the dangers of drugs and other illegal substances and activities. While this is indeed a tremendous and tedious undertaking, we have sanctioned the support of Social Services and the Ministry of Education to ensure that all responsibilities under this jurisdiction are carried out in an effective and efficient manner.
Additionally, we have also taken measures to ensure the safety of our visitors through the implementation of the Police Tourism Unit. The objective of this Unit is jointly established under The Bahamas Visitor Safety & Security Board to implement programs and initiatives pertaining to tourist safety and security.
Accordingly, the following objectives are set to achieve the stated goal.
1. Review all concerns and recommendations made by Consultative Committees regarding the community;
“To effectively and efficiently utilize resources allocated to execute the mandate of the Royal Bahamas Police Force through training and awareness seminars to advise managers on the importance of accountability.”
Resources are unquestionably the driving force that allows organizations to achieve their goals and objectives. Seemingly, there is an inextricable link between the management of resources and the success of an organization. To say the least, resources are always limited and therefore we must be careful on how we deploy our manpower and other resources. To facilitate this effort, commanders and middle managers will be mandated to attend a Budget Seminar and similar venues that offer awareness of the effective and efficient use of resources.
Accordingly, the following objectives are set to achieve the stated goal.
1. Require commanders to be more accountable for the way resources are distributed and utilized in their division;
2. Sanction a Budget Seminar for commanders and middle managers to heighten their awareness of the effective and efficient use of resources;
3. Mandate the Inspection and Review Branch to conduct additional inspections to ensure proper use of resources;
4. Require newly promoted Corporals and Sergeants to attend management courses at the Police Training College; and
5. Ensure police resources are effectively deployed to achieve policing objectives.
Conclusion
The anticipated success of the sum of these goals will be overwhelming in the future. We must intensify all efforts to continuously improve our processes as we are definitely in the midst of a paradigm shift in policing. While we increase our presence on the streets, we must remember that our attitude determines our altitude. Our relationship with the community must be constantly nurtured so that we are always abreast of current affairs and the public’s view of the Police. This will enable us to make adjustments where necessary so that we are always viewed in a friendly light.
Notably, this Policy Statement is not a directive, but rather a framework for us to follow in 2006. Our overall goal is to reduce crime and sustain public tranquility. It is evident that the quality of life in The Bahamas is at its highest largely due to the success of the Urban Renewal Projects and other initiatives implemented by the Force. This has provided a solid foundation for us to achieve our policing goals and related objectives. With this in mind, we must maintain and exceed our standard of quality law enforcement service through sensitivity of action, respect for individuals and professionalism. This will enable us to build our reputation and succeed in all endeavors pursued in 2006 and beyond.
January 2006