The Nassau Guardian
Police force shake up
In the first of what is expected to be a series of personnel shake-ups in the Royal Bahamas Police Force to coincide with a more focused crime fighting strategy, Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade has shifted the command of eight senior officers.
Superintendent Clayton Fernander, who was shot multiple times during an attempted robbery in April, will no longer head the Southeastern Division.
He will be transferred to the Office of the Commissioner of Police at police headquarters effective September 16.
Superintendent Ashton Greenslade, the brother of Commissioner Greenslade, will leave his post as head of the Central Division to be the new commander of the Southeastern Division effective
September 16.
Superintendent Leamond Deleveaux has left his command post at the Western Division and will head the Central Division effective today.
Superintendent Allan Emmanuel has left his post as officer in charge of the Carmichael Division to head the Western Division effective today.
Superintendent Mary Mitchell, who was in charge of the canteen and mess halls, was placed in charge of the Carmichael Division effective September 10.
As of September 6, Superintendent Ken Strachan was moved as head of the Traffic Division and now heads the Firearms Tracing and Investigation Unit. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Craig Stubbs now heads the Traffic Division.
Strachan’s move seems to line up with remarks made by Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage when he announced the government’s new crime plan last Friday.
At a press conference at police headquarters, Nottage said a police superintendent had been earmarked to take over the firearms unit. He said that superintendent will be joined by a team of weapons experts and sharp shooters.
Nottage said this would result in an increase in the firearms unit by 100 percent.
The Tourism Policing Unit will also have a new head.
ASP Gregory Johnson, who was formerly assigned to a police tribunal, now heads the tourism police.
Former Head of the Tourism Policing Unit ASP Ernest Hanna was moved to Fire Services this week.
The commanders of two Family Island divisions will switch places.
ASP Dennis Brown, who was the officer in charge of the Inagua Division, will head the Berry Island Division effective September 30.
ASP Gregory Johnson, who still heads the Berry Island Division, will head the Inagua Division effective October 7.
Last week, Nottage announced that all police officers on New Providence will immediately be placed on 12-hour shifts effective last Saturday.
Additionally, he said 150 Royal Bahamas Defence Force marines would be immediately deployed to assist with the crime fight.
Those announcements came as Nottage acknowledged that gang and turf wars have fueled the recent increase in violence. In a recent two-week period, 13 people have been murdered.
Nottage added that police officers serving in administrative and support service capacities would also be deployed to the front line.
The minister said significant resources have been added to the Homicide Unit of the Central Detective Unit (CDU). The Armed Robbery Unit and Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) will also be adjusted and enhanced, he said.
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