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HISTORY

Community Relations Department

1979 - 2005

The Crime Prevention Section of the Royal Bahamas Police Force was established in l979 under Commissioner Salathiel Thompson.  W/Sergeant 363 Davis was the first officer assigned as a Crime Prevention Officer.  She was succeeded by Inspector Irvin Taylor.

Ø      Crime Prevention media talk shows.

Ø      Distribution of Crime Prevention literature throughout The Bahamas.

D.S.P. Gibson was assisted by the below mentioned officers:

Insp. Sidney Deveaux

P.C. 77 Cooper

            On 24^th January, 1986, Bartlett’s Museum was officially opened.  The museum is the brain-child of D.S.P. Allan Gibson. It was named in honor of Mr. Gerald A. Bartlett, C.D.O., C.B.E., Q.P.M, Commissioner of Police.  In the museum one would find displayed artifacts from the Fire Department, Internal Security Division, Police Headquarters, Criminal Records Office, Police College, Police Stores, Forensic Laboratory, New Providence, Family Island Districts and Criminal Investigation Departments.

-                     Juvenile Liaison

-                     School Liaison

-                     Drug Education

-                     Youth Activities

-                     Provision of Speakers to Local Organizations

On 1^st October, 1991, A.S.P. Allerdyce Strachan succeeded Superintendent Allan Gibson.

In November of 1992, the Royal Bahamas Police Athletic and Social Clubs were formed.  Membership to the club are for persons between 11 years and not older than 16 years and it  includes males and females.  The objectives of the club are:-

-                     to develop a better relationship between the Police Force on the youth in the community,

-                     to promote educational advancement of the members of the club,

-                     to provide means of social intercourse, mutual helpfulness, mental and moral improvement and recreation,

-                     to promote Athletic sports.

There is a youth club in each Police Station with two Community Liaison Officers as leaders.  The results of the after school programmes has led to a massive annual Summer Youth Programme which brought together students from all over New Providence. This programme entails a 6-8 weeks training exercise, which is held during the months of July through August..

-                     School Liaison

-                     Community Involvement

-                     Conflict Resolution

-                     Referrals

-                     Visiting

-                     Targeting special groups

-                     Targeting disorder

-                     Networking with the private sector

Community Programmes

-                     Church Services

-                     Assist with Homework

-                     Job Assistance

-                     Visit to Movies

-                     Summer Programme

Mrs. Strachan, who became the first female Superintendent of Police in 1996, conducted a number of initiatives and had the following successes:

Ø      Strengthening relationships between the Police Force, Parents, Students, Principles and staff of all major Secondary Schools in New Providence;

Ø      Breaking down significant barriers among youths.

Ø      Dismantling a number of youth gangs.

Superintendent Strachan was assisted by:

Insp. George Mortimer                                     Const. 1654 Bonamy

Cpl. 1469 Curry

Supt. Allerdyce Strachan retired from the Police Force in April,1999. She handed over to Insp. Arnold Josey who was also the Force Press Liaison Officer at the time.  Insp. Josey served for a short period until December 1999. In May 1999 W/Insp. Elaine Sands joined him. The Commissioner of Police was Mr. Bonamy. Mr. Errold Farquharson served as Commissioner of Police Acting, from September to November 1999; until he handed over to Mr. Paul Farquharson.

Supt. Hulan Hanna became Officer-in-Charge of Community Relations Section and Force Press Liaison Officer in December 1999.  He was the first to attend a course in Journalism/Public Relations at Scotland Yard, England.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Ø      Re-opened the doors of the Police to the community;

Ø      Better collaborations between the Police and schools, churches, community members, government & non-governmental organizations;

Ø      Increased school patrols and juvenile liaison;

Ø      Transparency of the Force to the wider community;

Ø      Establishment of consultative Committees;

Ø      Extension of crime prevention initiatives to the Family Islands;

Ø      Hosting of ‘Policing Today’ radio talk show held at Love 97 on East St. The round table format program started August 2002. The first guest was Deputy Commissioner John Rolle;

Ø      Initiation of the Payer Breakfast held at the Police Cafeteria;

Ø      An increased Police Summer Programme from 1,200 students to 4,000 students;

Ø      Minimized gang violence;

Ø      Initiated Annual Christmas Carol and Tree Lighting ceremony held at Police Headquarters on East Street.  Treats distributed to children of the Police Youth Programme;

Ø      Organization of forums for the Commissioner of Police;

Ø      Distribution of Crime Prevention literature published by staff members of Community Relations and Safe Bahamas;

Ø      Through partnership a 45,000 word Oxford Dictionary was donated to every Division in New Providence & the Family Islands by Rotary Club of East Nassau;

Ø      Held Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Programme;

Ø      Followed-up on domestic violence complaints; and

Ø      Training and re-training of Community Officers.

Supt. Hanna is assisted by W/ASP Elaine Sands who is second in command. She is responsible for the day to day operations of the Section.  Additional support staff includes:

Insp. Glen Rolle

Secretary Ms. Tiffany Hanna

W/ASP Sands is also responsible for vigorously organizing Domestic Violence Intervention & Prevention workshops and seminars throughout the Bahamas.  She was also instrumental in the formation of, The Action Team.”

Assistant Superintendent Elaine E. Sands was the second Bahamian female Police Officer to attend the International Commanders Programme 108/04 at Bramshill, Centrex Police Training College, England, October 4^th – December 10^th 2004.

Superintendent Hulan Hanna officially handed over the duties of the Community Relations Section to Assistant Superintendent Sands on December 28, 2004.  The staff compliment is as follows:

W/ASP Elaine Sands

Ms. Angela Taylor - Janitress