Police stations in New Providence can look forward to a staff increase over the coming months, according to Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest.  "The commissioner and his executive management team have conducted a strategic review of the police force, to determine the policing needs within each division, particularly policing divisions here in New Providence," said Turnquest during the grand opening of the Cable Beach Police and Fire Station yesterday.

"They have determined that at each of our police stations, the following staff compliment would be optimal: One superintendent, one assistant superintendent, three inspectors, nine corporals, 47 constables, 24 reservists and two civilians.  "At stations where such (staff numbers) are not in place we are committed to doing so by the end of the year 2012 through continued recruitment, transfers and promotions."

The grand opening was attended by high-ranking police officers including Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade as well as members of the government and official opposition.  Turnquest said the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) will be assessing police officers and reservists as well.  "All police officers will be aware that the commissioner and his executive management team are currently undertaking an assessment of both police officers and police reservists to ascertain their suitability for promotion," he said.

"With respect to the police reserves, I have asked the commissioner and his executive management team to cull from the list of reserves those reservists who have not been active or sufficiently productive, so that the force would be in a position to recruit a number of hardworking Bahamians who have expressed an interest in providing public service as police reservists.  "It is our expectation that we would be in a position to recruit a new reserve squad within the first half of 2012."

He also noted that some members of the public have told him that some officers have not been doing their job.  "It has also been noted that some police officers have been blatantly ignoring traffic offenses committed in their view, failing to stop and render assistance at traffic accidents and generally failing to assist the public as needed while on patrol or otherwise," he said.

"I take this opportunity this morning to again remind all officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the general public that police officers are required to be more vigilant and more attentive in the execution of their daily duties, and must address all offenses committed whether within their view or reported, be they major or minor offenses."

The new police and fire station on Cable Beach, located in the new Baha Mar Commercial Village, was opened November 21 along with Scotiabank, Fidelity Bank and Commonwealth Bank.
According to Baha Mar the building cost nearly $15 million to construct.  The new buildings replace their original counterparts on the main Cable Beach strip, which Baha Mar has demolished to make way for its mega resort.

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