Friday, November 20, 2009
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Letters | Opinion | Editorial | Weekend Report |
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Police Act will impact future of police chief By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com: It has been confirmed that the full Police Act 2009 will come into force in January 2010, indicating that Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham will soon have to select a new commissioner of police to replace Reginald Ferguson, who would be past the retirement age set in the new law. During the recent Free National Movement (FNM) convention, Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest said the new Police Act would come into force on January 4, 2010. He did not specify, however, if the whole act, or parts of it, would come into force at that time. When asked about the issue, Turnquest confirmed that the whole act will come into force. "We propose to bring the full act into force on January, 2010," he said to The Nassau Guardian. Turnquest did not comment further on the significance of the move for the commissioner. The new law states that all officers, upon reaching the age of 60 years, or having served 40 years (whichever comes first), shall retire from the force. Ferguson is 63 and he has served on the force for about 44 years. He joined the force in late 1965. When asked about the retirement issue a month ago, Ferguson said: "When I am privileged to have completed my time I will certainly be gone." Ferguson was appointed commissioner of police on March 16, 2009. He was appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister. The prime minister is required to consult with the leader of the opposition before the selection is made. The Bahamian constitution allows the prime minister to appoint the commissioner, deputy commissioner and all the assistant commissioners of police after various consultations. Under the old Police Act, Ferguson would be able to serve in the force until age 65. It is unclear who will replace Ferguson when he retires. The two front runners for the post are Acting Deputy Commissioner Ellison Greenslade and Senior Assistant Commissioner Marvin Dames. However, the prime minister can appoint whomever he wishes to be the next commissioner after Ferguson. Therefore, there is a possibility that neither will get the post. Ferguson is the fifth commissioner of police in an independent Bahamas.
Thursday, November 19, 2009 |
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