More than 240 complaints were filed against police officers and other members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) in 2012.

The latest crime stats show that of this figure, alleged assaults was the most frequently reported category with 128 cases.

Police brutality is a constant cry of suspects appearing before magistrates.

While the accused is typically given the assurance that he/she would receive medical attention, the matter is investigated by the RBPF’s Complaints & Corruption Branch (CCB).

The same applies in the case of unethical behavior, which accounted for 41 reported cases last year, unlawful arrest, 22 cases; stealing, 17 cases; damage, 15 cases; missing property, five cases and causing harm, another four cases.

Threats of death, threats of harm and harassment accounted for three reports each while neglect of duty stood at another two, a total of 243 complaints.

A further breakdown showed that 87 of these matters were completed in some form or another.

Police statistics indicate that 30 cases were withdrawn by the complainant, 19 were recommended to the Tribunal, 15 were determined “unfounded,” eight were “concluded for insufficient evidence,” and six were found to be “unsubstantiated.”

Five of the cases were “informally resolved” while four were concluded through warnings.

During a Meet the Press event, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said the police will remain accountable.

“We are never going to sugar coat , side step or avoid questions about our people” he said. “We are servants of the people of the country, servants of people who visit this country and we must always be about God in our behavior.

“Where officers have defied the law, we have been decisive in dealing with them. We have done due process and due diligence to ensure that there is fairness on both sides. But I cannot in good faith ask the support of the Bahamian people and then turn on them. I just cannot do it.”