Police Staff Association (PSA) Executive Chairman Inspector Dwight Smith said yesterday the association is seeking legal advice after one of its executive members received a letter accusing him of "associating with a political organization" following a march last Friday. Smith claimed the letter came from a senior police officer, but it was not made available to The Nassau Guardian. Dozens of law enforcement officers marched downtown over what they claimed were outstanding issues regarding salaries, promotions, insurance and "disrespect from the government".
The PSA and Bahamas Prison Officers Association (BPOA) were joined by members of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and Bahamas National Citizens Coalition (BNCC). Smith said the PSA expected all members who participated in the march to receive similar letters by 10 a.m. today.
During the march, Smith said at 9:15 a.m. Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Bethell requested the officers who planned to march to attend a mandatory meeting. He said this was an attempt to "intimidate" officers and thwart the efforts of the organizations.
When contacted on Friday afternoon, Bethell said no one has the right to inquire about the internal affairs of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), including the media. Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said yesterday he was unaware of the details surrounding both matters, but would also be unable to comment on internal affairs of the RBPF.
According to the Police Act 2009, "it shall not be lawful for any police officer to be or become a member of any prohibited association.
"If any police officer becomes a member of any prohibited association after it has become a prohibited association under the provisions of paragraph 'd' of section 28 of this act, such police officer, the association and every officer of the association, who is knowingly a party to the admission, enrolment or continuance of membership of such police officer to or in the association shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of $500 for each offense."
The act deems a prohibited association as any trade union, any body affiliated with a trade union or any association declared by the minister to be a prohibited association. Smith said the march was to bring public awareness to the plight of the armed forces. He rejected any notion that it was political.
In a statement, DNA Leader Branville McCartney said yesterday the armed forces' attempts to negotiate with the government to address their concerns have been met with "tactics of intimidation". He said the armed forces with the support of the DNA exercised their right to assemble to bring public awareness to their concerns. Less than a week after taking that "public stand and openly criticizing the government's handling of matters relative to the armed forces", officers who participated are being targeted, McCartney said.
"The DNA has been advised that several individuals were given formal notification that they are now under investigation for various offences and that charges could be brought against them," he said. "These so called charges are obviously being used as a means to punish outspoken public servants who have already been denied what they have been promised... Such tactics are deplorable, disgusting and undemocratic."
In a separate statement, the BNCC echoed that the march was not political in nature. However, The Nassau Guardian can confirm the BNCC intends to form a political party to contest the next general election. The coalition said it got permission and promoted the march, which was to make public the struggles officers face on a daily basis.
"In consideration of such public promotion and awareness, if there were any concerns about the walk there was ample time to communicate such concerns to the BNCC and to members of the security forces," the BNCC said. "Yet, no such concerns were communicated until within the same hour of the walk."
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