RBPF to focus on training, building relations with public and reducing police complaints in 2022
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander has suggested that officers ought to be comfortable with being recorded by members of the public as they execute their duties in a professional manner.
He made the comment as the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) prepares to focus on training officers in professionalism and building community trust in the new year as the organizations seeks to clamp down on police complaints and allegations of abuse.
There are a lot of young officers out there and we need a lot of guidance, so we have to ensure we have the right fit and leadership out there.
– Deputy Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander
The complaints and corruptions unit has traditionally come under the purview of the deputy commissioner. Fernander said while this will no longer be the case, some of those matters will come to him at some point and will remain a “big focus”.
He said: “The Bahamian people have to know that we are looking into these matters and they want results and swift justice, I would say… Those matters highlighted out there, the commissioner is fully aware.
“We have people who are monitoring these sites even if a complaint is not made.
“If it is out there, we follow it up and generate a complaint and find out what happened and try to identify individuals and encourage them to come in.
“We are looking at that in a big way because professionalism is key across supporting [relations] with members of the public.
“That’s the kind of the [matters] that will get us results and your approach with members of the public. That is key.”
This year, there have been numerous purported recordings of officers allegedly abusing the rights of citizens.
If someone is recording you, why are you afraid of that, because you are doing your job. Just stand and show that level of respect to members of the public.
– Deputy Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander
One of the purported videos showed an officer dragging an individual into a police vehicle, though the circumstances and lead-up to the arrest were not captured on camera.
Fernander indicated that in the culture of social media, officers should not be afraid to be recorded on video.
“We try to encourage our officers to be professional,” the deputy commissioner said.
“If someone is recording you, why are you afraid of that, because you are doing your job.
“Just stand and show that level of respect to members of the public.
“But training is the key and we are going to focus on that big time in 2022 to ensure that officers stay focused and be professional as they execute their duties, and we’re looking at guidance.
“There are a lot of young officers out there and we need a lot of guidance, so we have to ensure we have the right fit and leadership out there as we proceed. Leadership is key.”
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