Press Statement by Dale Marshall, Q.C., M.P Shadow Attorney General June 18, 2013 The Barbados Labour Party and in fact, all right thinking Barbadians are alarmed at the recent developments in relation to the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) and its Commissioner of Police, Mr. Darwin Dottin. The news broke last night that with immediate effect the PSC had sent Mr. Dottin on administrative leave until further notice. This leave is pending the determination by His Excellency that he be retired from the Office of Commissioner of Police under the power conferred by the Pensions Act to retire persons who have reached the age of 55 years. It is of course passing strange that the statutory basis for the proposed separation from the force is simply related to age under the Pensions Act; and not to dereliction of duty or any failings in the performance of his duties under the Police Act. It is intended that Commissioner Dottin be separated from the force only on the basis of him having attained the age of 55, which age he reached 7 or 8 long years ago. How is a separation from the force, based on reaching the age of 55 capable of being done “in the public interest”? This kind of reasoning is an insult to all Barbadians, and the irony is that we are today debating in parliament a White Paper on Aging. Is this some kind of poorly camouflaged disciplinary proceeding against the Commissioner of Police, especially since on the last occasion when such was attempted a few years ago, the charges clearly did not even get off the ground? This comes on the heels of the congratulatory remarks of many members of the Cabinet who highlighted the wonderful job that had been done by the Police Force in recent months. The public is justified in being confounded at this sudden turn of events. The signs of trouble however were always in the background. The country learnt as recently Sunday of the baffling position taken by the PSC not to include the Commissioner in the process of the selection of a Deputy Commissioner of Police. This position would have struck all Barbadians as being bizarre, as it is absolutely illogical that the head of a specialised body, such as the police force, would be excluded from the decision on who should be his deputy, but also on the matter of the succession planning for the leadership of the Force. More importantly, the Police Act at section 8 confers on the Commissioner of Police the command and superintendence of the Force and he is accountable only to the Governor General for the efficient administration and government of the Force and the proper expenditure of all monies budgeted for the Police. Accordingly, the Commissioner would be the most obvious person for the Police Service Commission to consult with, as he would have worked with all of the potential candidates for the post of Deputy Commissioner, and he would be expected to be able to provide valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses, and their potential for leadership. None of the members of the Police Service Commission (PSC) would be in a position to offer such insights, and notwithstanding that the Chairman of the Commission was a former police officer, he left the Force many years ago and in a junior rank. Moreover, the Chairman should be well aware of the dangers of advising himself on matters with which he is not intimately familiar. It is for these reasons that the Leader of the Opposition would have expressed her objection to the appointment of Mr. Mayers when she was consulted by the Prime Minister on his appointment as Chairman in accordance with the Constitution. The public will also recall that the PSC has taken similar positions in relation to the last two sets of promotions within the Force, inasmuch as the Commission, by and large, rejected the Commissioner’s recommendations for promotions and accepted the recommendations of his then deputy, who has now retired. This most recent act of the PSC demonstrates for all to see that the RBPF has not been allowed to settle and that the PSC is intent on continuing to act, reckless as to whether their action will lead to further unrest within the ranks of the force. The opposition has a number of important questions for the PSC. When will the Prime Minister come and address the country on this turn of events that is unprecedented in the history of independent Barbados, inasmuch as he was consulted on the appointment of the replacement of Commissioner Dottin? Barbadians would have expected that at the very least the Attorney General would have made a Ministerial Statement regarding the matter during Parliament’s sitting today. Why has the Police Service Commission (PSC) after consultation with the Prime Minister chosen an officer to act as Commissioner of Police who is junior to other senior officers and who did NOT apply for the vacant post of Deputy Commissioner of Police? On what basis can the Police Service Commission seek to fill the post of Deputy when the rank and seniority of at least 4 of the applicants for this post may be affected by the case that is currently pending before the High Court? Why has the Police Service Commission only met with the Commissioner of Police once in 5 and a half years? Is this failure to meet with the Commissioner not the underlying reason for the large number of problems that the Force has experienced in recent years? Will this lack of communication with the one person at law responsible for the command and superintendence of the Force continue or will they suddenly recognise their duty to work hand in glove with the Commissioner? Why does this administration refuse to focus on the real needs of the police force – a force that does not have adequate supplies of uniforms; a vehicle fleet that is breaking down daily; inadequate supplies of ammunition for the range; and a host of other challenges that makes it harder for them to protect and serve the Barbadian public in the manner to which we are entitled. The Opposition has repeatedly called for the Government to cease its political interference with the Royal Barbados Police Force and allow it to be run as a modern, professional force should be run. A demoralised and weakened police force benefits only the criminal element in this country. It is too vital an institution in, and to, Barbados to be meddled with in this way.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:57:27 +0000
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