ADDRESS BY

  

THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS

 

MR. REGINALD FERGUSON, QPM

 

ON THE OCCASION OF

 

                      OFFICIAL HANDING OVER OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

 

18TH JANUARY 2008

 

 

My journey to this distinguished office has been one of great challenge. As a young man from the island of Acklins, joining the Royal Bahamas Police Force was a means to serve this great country.For me it was an opportunity to make a contribution to the development of this country and its citizens.

 

Forty plus years later, I can say with a sense of humble elation that my efforts have not gone unnoticed and I publicly say: to god be the glory, great things he has done, for I have been divinely blessed with this awesome role.

 

Today, I stand at the apex of my career, as the sixth commissioner of police of an independent nation. I am stepping into the shoes and benefiting from the legacy of these distinguished past commissioners including my immediate predecessor Mr. Paul Farquharson.

 

 

I join others here today and on behalf of the entire Royal Bahamas Police Force, thank Mr. Farquharson for his illustrious service to this force and our country, and wish him God’s speed in his future endeavours.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I am mindful of the tremendous and inordinate responsibility of this office and humbly thank those, who have placed this level of confidence in me.

 

I will not betray that trust and it is my intention to live up to and indeed exceed your expectations in the execution of my duties as commissioner. I thank my entire family but especially my wife Dulcita, for her devotion and unwavering support through these many years.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot be successful alone and entreat each of you to lend me a hand.

 

Crime is a multifaceted challenge with adverse effects on every fibre of our country. Its ruthless presence is visible socially, economically, culturally and within our family structures. I am certain that given the increase in crime against persons within our country, each of you may have personally experienced the unfortunate hand of crime. Unfortunate, is perhaps stating it too mildly.

 

As a developing nation, the Bahamas is at a critical juncture as we continue to see an unprecedented rise in the level of crime and criminality in our country. 

 

I read recently, that the vast majority of us, who are generally law abiding, are convinced that the source of crime has nothing to do with us but instead has to do with ‘them’- the criminals! So when we seek to find solutions to crime we generally find other people to blame – the police, the courts, the church, the family and the list goes on.

 

But what we don’t do often enough is to search ourselves to consider what we as citizens have done to contribute to lawlessness. And consider what we individually and collectively, can do to curb crime in our society.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that small crimes lead to big crimes – we would all agree that running the red light or assaulting someone are offences, but today many of us have forgotten that many of our practices are equally as illegal. Some have become so desensitized that they buy numbers from the church hymnals –

 

This trend and acceptance of illegality by otherwise law-abiding citizens is eroding the core of our society.

 

As individuals have an obligation to act responsibly and with respect for our fellow citizen.

 

Already in this year 2008, we see the continuing trend of the callous and blatant disregard for human life, and I ask you, like I often ask myself – what kind of country do we want?

 

Do we allow crime and criminals to dictate the quality of life in the Bahamas?

 

Do we sit by and allow our communities to be over run by the purveyors of lawlessness?

 

Do we lose our distinct place among nations of the region as a peace-loving and god fearing people?

 

Do we allow our economy to be destroyed because of the antisocial behaviour of a small group among us?

 

Do we hide in fear, and hope that things will change?

 

The answer to all of these questions is a resounding no! but to ensure that it remains no, we must individually, as a community and a country commit to a zero tolerance approach to crime and criminality.

 

 

As your commissioner, I commit to a policy of zero tolerance for criminal behaviour and an abiding respect for the rule of law. The law will be applied equally, without favour and irrespective of status, colour or creed.

 

With the support of the entire officer corps and the law biding citizens of this country – we will continue to move forward as the world marks the manner of our bearing.

 

It is often said that before one extends a criticism, one should look inwardly.

 

Deputy and assistant commissioners; superintendents and inspectors; sergeants and corporals; constables and recruits; civilian branch and reservists; what do you think the public sees?

 

As commissioner, I commit to you that I will place high emphasis on discipline through the entire rank and file of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

 

Together we will encourage and develop new strategies and training initiatives to address the challenges of policing in the modern Bahamas. We need a new policeman! times have changed, and we need policemen with a better understanding of our society – a better understanding of international law and an overall sensitivity to the average man.

 

We wish to thank the government for its continued support and its recent commitment to provide much needed additional resources.

 

We will use these resources responsibly. The additional equipment coupled with improvement to our training programs for both young, and not so young officers, will improve our service to the public.

 

Indeed, no effort will be spared to access training locally, regionally and internationally for worthy officers, to ensure that we meet our manpower requirements.

 

I commit to you that every officer including management will provide service with excellence, professionalism and in adherence with all laws that govern the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

 

We will redouble our intelligence efforts related to drug smuggling and the traffic of illegal guns.

 

 These two illicit trades are the largest contributors to the current level of crime in our country. We will continue to work closely with our neighbours to the north and within our region, to minimize the impact of these international illicit trades.

 

We cannot police in isolation, crime has no respect for jurisdiction – it is international and only through partnerships, can we effectively meet this challenge.

 

Corruption and good policing are not compatible, and if unchecked, could render us incapable of policing our own country. Therefore - you can expect a vigorous effort on the part of my office, to detect, investigate and eradicate this unacceptable practice wherever possible.

 

 

I say to you without reservation, we have the necessary talent, expertise and experience to effectively police the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

 

I commit to you the Bahamian people that all officers will be utilized to ensure that an acceptable level of orderliness is returned to our streets.

 

We have and will continue, to ensure the increased visibility of our officers, as we expect that this will result in less mishaps and fatalities.

 

Hours of work will be staggered to increase the safety of the travelling public, and increase our opportunities to intercept persons who may be traversing the streets to commit criminal offences. We will restore peace!

 

Further, I commit to you the public that those officers among us who have not lived up to their oath of office will be disciplined, retrained or invited to demit the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

 

To you career officers, I have served in many of the places you are today.   I recognize some of your challenges and I commit to you, that I will always have an open door to hear your issues and commit to do all within my power to ensure you can be productive in the execution of your duties.

 

To you the Bahamian people I wish to challenge you to continue to work with the police force. With your help we will maintain and further develop the philosophy of neighbourhood policing.

 

This however will only be as good or as effective as you the public, and we the police decide it will be. Therefore, let us look for opportunities to mitigate the social ills that we are faced with.

 

Consider organising crime prevention councils within your neighbourhoods and reinstate your neighbourhood watch programmes.

I am personally prepared to liaise and support all community and faith based organisations working for the betterment of the Bahamas.

 

We all have a responsibility to address conditions which hinder healthy development and can become the breeding ground for crime. We the Police have the responsibility to respond to your requests and institute measures to address and eradicate these social ills. Therefore let us join hands in partnership as we seek to reduce crime and improve our country.

 

To the members of the force, you have heard me say before that no man is an island and no man can stand alone. I invite you all to put aside any and all issues and work to uplift the image and name of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

 

Let us elevate our organization and make it synonymous to that of a crime-fighting machine where zero tolerance to crime is the modus operandi.

 

Together we can stop crime at the source. Let us go where the criminals hibernate and infiltrate their cells. Dislodging them from their safe havens and comfort zones. Ever mindful of the importance of conducting proper and just investigations with integrity.

 

This will demonstrate our true professionalism to one and all, re-gaining the respect that in some instances we have lost.

 

As each of you is aware, the Royal Bahamas Police Force is a disciplined institution, with a clearly defined chain of command.

 

Officers of all ranks are therefore reminded that they must respect the hierarchy, long standing traditions and values of the force.

 

Information relating to the internal affairs of our organisation should stay within the force, as such acts often lead to factions, distrust and low morale.

 

 I implore you to remember the policies and regulations regarding the flow of information outside of the force will be strictly adhered to.

 

We have been given much and even much more is expected of us. Let us maximize the resources with which we have been provided and let us insist on excellence in all that we do.

 

 

It is said that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. This being the case, let us find those who have become weary or disillusioned and do all within our power to motivate them – thus igniting the passion that once burned within them, to serve country and people.

 

I call on all career officers, reservists and civilian personnel to join me as we move resolutely to restore an acceptable quality of life throughout our country with a simultaneous commitment to the restoration of peace.

 

Over the next several days I will meet with the entire force and acquaint you all with my policing plan for the ensuing year – operation restoration of peace.

 

 

Let us therefore, fight the good fight of faith and run this race with patience and perseverance.

 

 

Thank you and may God bless the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the people of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas