By Gerrino J. Saunders
Journal Staff Writer

After the Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander was compelled to
resign last Wednesday following a number of events that saw senior and
junior police officers involved in criminal and corrupt activities with
some abusing their authority resulting in fatal shootings, the focus then
turned to Commodore of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF)
Dr. Raymond King and his possible resignation.
Along with Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis and Sergeant Prince
Symonette of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Chief Petty Officer
Darrin Roker of the RBDF was named in a United States (U.S.)
indictment of 11 Bahamians and two Colombians charged with aiding
the smuggling of tons of cocaine from South America namely Columbia
through The Bahamas into the U.S. since May of 2021.
Similar to the fate of Curtis and Symonette, Roker was also fired from
the RBDF following his indictment.
However, the interdiction of Curtis and Symonette and possibly other
issues on the police force, prompted Fernander’s resignation as
Commissioner of Police with Prime Minister Philip Davis announcing in
the House of Assembly last Wednesday that he received and accepted
Fernander’s resignation noting that the outgoing police chief himself
was not found guilty of any wrong doing.
Shortly after the indictment of Roker, on November 27 th Commodore
King released a statement which said, “as Commander of the RBDF, I
will not tolerate any breach of trust or compromise of our mission to

protect The Bahamas. Those responsible for wrong doing will be held
fully accountable.”
“The RBDF remains steadfast in working with our national and
international security partners to address matters of mutual concerns and
safeguards against corruption. Together we will ensure the continued
safety and security of our nations.”
It was revealed following the indictment that the United States had lost a
level of trust for Bahamian law enforcement and as a result they did not
share sensitive and vital information with the RBDF or the RBPF as it
relates to covert anti drugs and firearms trafficking operations in the
region and through The Bahamas.
This week Commodore King was asked by a local daily, similar to
RBPF Commissioner Fernander if he had any intention to tender his
resignation. He responded strongly, “none whatsoever. I continue to be
faithful; I continue to be loyal to our mandates and our missions.”
King said he is dedicated to ensuring the countries national security.
He said steps are being taken to regain the trust of the U.S. as it relates
to protecting critically sensitive information. He said “it is a matter that
we have taken seriously. We looked at all of our protocols to ensure that
all of our operational situational reports are encrypted with only a small
number of persons on a need to know.”
Dr. King noted that the RBDF had one similar incident which occurred
in the early 1990’s.
Dr. King said the organization was “very disappointed” to learn that one
of their own was indicted jeopardizing the efforts and lives of other
officers and their international partners in the fight against drugs, guns
and human smuggling operations, and ultimately betraying the country.

He dismissed suggestions that there is a culture of corruption in the
RBDF noting the severe penalties for corruption and criminal activity in
the RBDF including 10-15 year or even the death penalty for the
allegations levied against Roker that borders on treason.