Police Staff Association (PSA) officials announced yesterday that Sergeant Dwight Smith has been re-elected as executive chairman of the association.
Smith noted yesterday that the majority of the PSA's 2,200 members participated in the election, held last week Thursday at various polling stations across New Providence and on Grand Bahama.
He further noted that there was a need to establish additional positions within the PSA, including an executive director, a chief welfare officer and an information and events officer, to increase the professional capacity of the organization.
Newly-elected executive member Corporal Kevin Farrington is now the PSA's legal aid & right officer.
"This position has been established to protect the officers' legal and constitutional rights," said Smith during a press conference at PSA headquarters on Bank Lane.
"This is the first legal position established to help police officers deal with the increase of litigation sweeping through our police force.
"It will also educate and advise officers on the art of not falling or yielding to temptation or corruption, as we have seen far too many officers before the courts or dismissed from the force for unwanted behavior or illegal acts."
The majority of last year's board was re-elected, with a few notable changes.  Constable Darius Sealy is the new assistant welfare officer in the Family Islands.
The executive secretary position is now filled by Sergeant Lisa Saunders Armbrister, who replaces Corporal Prescott Pinder.  Constable Kirk Bastian, who was previously assistant treasurer, is now the executive treasurer.  Inspector Warren Johnson has been appointed deputy chairman in New Providence.
The positions of deputy chairman, Grand Bahama and chief welfare officer, Grand Bahama are still held by Sergeants Darrell Weir and Chris Barr respectively.
Corporal Leonard Barr has replaced Corporal Innez Miller as chairman of private engagement.  Corporal Claudius Collie has replaced Corporal Theresa Stuart as deputy chairman of private engagement.
Corporal Nicola Mackey retained her position as assistant secretary, while Constable Kirk Bastian, who previously held the post of assistant treasurer, has been elected as executive treasurer, replacing Inspector Kenery Stubbs.
Constable Jacqueline Jones has been appointed as the public relations officer, replacing Lashawn Brice.  Constable Latroy Bodie has been elected as the assistant treasurer.  Constable Ernie Barr, who was previously the deputy chairman for Grand Bahama, is now the chairman of private engagement, replacing Corporal Lincoln Dawkins.  Constable Gerard Miller now holds the position of sergeant of arms.
The polling stations on New Providence were at police headquarters on East Street, the police college on Thompson Boulevard and the PSA's offices on Bank Lane.  In Grand Bahama, the lone polling station was at the PSA office on Mahogany Street in Freeport.
Smith pointed out that the association has become an international member of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) for the first time in the history of the police force.  NAPO is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States, that serve to advance the interests of that nation's law enforcement officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education.  Smith sits on NAPO's executive board, which is also a first for The Bahamas.
"This will enable us to actually look at our counterparts and see how they do policing," Smith said.  "We can send officers to those various places for training that we may deem necessary, to help us police our Bahamaland," he added.

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