There are people in The Bahamas who must know that corruption exists in every law enforcement agency in the Caribbean and The Americas. This will be so until the end of the world. The challenge is always what must be done when it is uncovered.

Far too many Bahamians have over-reacted to yet another shock of a senior officer being arrested.

Over the last week many Bahamians reacted in apparent horror and embarrassment over the arrest of two members of the country’s uniformed branches in connection with alleged drug trafficking as if it never happened before. While this is disappointing, we should be aware that there will always be bad apples in every law enforcement agency.

Many policemen over the years have been charged before our courts in connection with drugs with some of them being convicted and imprisoned.

It is well known that more corruption and scandals occur among policemen and law enforcement officials in the United States than in any other society in the western world.

When they are found in corrupt practices, they are brought to justice.

In our opinion, it was unnecessary for Clayton Fernander (who resigned as Commissioner of Police on Wednesday) to make a national address on the matter last Sunday. The Prime Minister had already made a major communication in the House of Assembly on how his government was handling the matter.  Mr. David went as far to say that a diplomatic note was being sent to American authorities for more information. That should have been the end of the issue.

Fernander’s address revealed the lack of respect that is evident among the Drug Enforcement Agency in the United States for our police force. The address was a public relations blunder.

On Wednesday the Prime Minister announced in the House of Assembly that he had received and accepted the resignation of the Commissioner Fernander.  The Prime Minister announced later that day that Assistant Commissioner Shanta Knowles was appointed to the post.  Knowles has become the first female Commissioner of Police in The Bahamas.

After the Commission of Inquiry into drug trafficking in the Bahamas in 1984, policemen and some politicians were indicted and charged before the courts. Indeed, one of them was a former Assistant Commissioner of Police.  He was accused of doing the very same thing that now a Chief Superintendent who is now in the custody of the Americans is accused of.  In addition, the records of our prison will show that several policemen, customs, immigration and prison officers served time in the Fox Hill Prison after being convicted in connection with drugs. What this should indicate is that the system of justice works and should be allowed to continue to work once we have men of integrity in the leadership of The Royal Bahamas Police Force.

That institution had a good reputation over more than 100 years for having in its ranks honest man and women who have given our country yeoman’s service in enforcing law and order.  Among these outstanding officers were Salathiel Thompson, Gerald Bartlett, Paul Farquharson, Basil Dean, Paul Thompson, Keith Mason, Ellison Greenslade, Paul Rolle, Anthony Ferguson and Grafton Ifill.  They ensured that everything was done to maintain the high reputation of the force.