RBPF program takes aim at ‘culture change’

Minister of National Security, the Hon O A T ‘Tommy’ Turnquest. (BIS photo/Patrick Hanna)

NASSAU, The Bahamas --- Officials of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and other law enforcement agencies on Monday began a week-long initiative meant to bring “long-term systematic change” to the way the Police Force implements its law and order mandate.

“We expect transformation to be manifested in the way in which the Police Force does its business,” Minister of National Security, the Hon O A T ‘Tommy’ Turnquest said.

Police officers, he said, will be expected to put increased pressure on criminal elements; move aggressively to shut down drug trafficking organizations; develop relationships that will provide the intelligence to get illegal guns off the streets; and move assertively against violators of traffic laws.

“We expect police officers to be accountable for their actions, to shun corruption and to refrain from any action that would bring the Police Force into ill repute,” Mr Turnquest said.

The program was launched by the Senior Command of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and officials of the La Red Business Network International on Monday.

It is “widely regarded” as a proven and effective system that assists in bringing positive change and increased efficiency to organizations, including security and law enforcement agencies.

The organization is said to have recorded “tremendous successes” in Haiti, Mexico, Colombia and Guatemala.

The aim of the La Red Program is to place renewed emphasis on building strength of character and professionalism in all ranks of the Police Force, thereby improving the effectiveness of crime fighting strategies.

Mr Turnquest said the program is another aspect of the new Crime Reduction Strategy that was launched in September.

“This Strategy, however, has less to do with apprehension and arrest of offenders than the traditional crime reduction strategy,” Mr Turnquest said.

“It focuses on the development of character, values, morals, and principles which should strengthen individual police officers in their resolve to effectively carry out their duty within the bounds of the law and regulations.

“No doubt strong and principled police officers contribute to the development of a strong and principled Police Force,” Mr Turnquest continued. “This is the basis of the interest of the Royal Bahamas Police Force in the La Red Program.”

The launch of the program followed a “comprehensive review” as to the benefits it could bring to the police men and women, and the country, said Mr Turnquest.

The La Red Program has been “effectively implemented” in several Caribbean and Latin American countries “for the betterment of security agencies and organizations similar to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

“In every circumstance reported,” he said, “it has helped to change the culture of the security forces and has given all a more positive approach to their work.”

The program takes into account that persons entrusted with law and order must, at all times, strive to be people of integrity and professionalism, said Mr Turnquest.

And, it comes at an “opportune time” as the Royal Bahamas Police Force “continues to work proactively to counter crime and criminality and particularly violent crime, in our country.

“I regard this program as an ongoing initiative that would, for years to come, be a catalyst for continuing efforts to build strength and character in police officers,” said Mr Turnquest.