Deceiving a nation and disregarding the rule of law

Deceiving a nation and disregarding the rule of law

I met the current commissioner of police about 14 or 15 years ago at police headquarters on East Street when I was a member of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF). I had received a directive from my commanding officer to seek information on a matter that could be beneficial to the force at that time.

I don’t remember the date or the exact year that I met Commissioner Greenslade but I can tell you that he is the most intelligent and most well spoken human being I have ever met.

I was basically speechless when we met and was unaware at the time that persons of this heightened intelligence worked in the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF). Our commissioner of police is well read, respected and I believe appositely qualified to perform his task as the chief of police. But why he isn’t carrying out his mandate is another story. The gambling referendum is over and the people of the Bahamas voted a resounding no.

Why hasn’t Mr. Greenslade executed his duty to uphold the laws of the country, despite having a clear mandate? Didn’t he say he was tired of this gambling fiasco? I have read and listened to a number of sources as it relates to the injunction that was filed on behalf of several web shop owners and I’m convinced that the injunction does not give credence to the commission of an illegal act.

The court as I have read and understood cannot sanction an illegal act. The court cannot direct the commissioner of police to renege on his duty to enforce the laws of the country. That being said, I think it is safe to say that the commissioner of police has been derelict in his duties and could be seen to be complicit in allowing casino gambling to continue unabated in web shops.

It would also appear that the attorney general and the prime minister for whatever reason have not told the Bahamian people the absolute truth as it relates to this matter. The prime minister ordered web shop gaming closed and then shortly thereafter made mention that an injunction was filed in the courts, which implied that his hands were tied.

What most of the Bahamian populace does not realize is that the injunction is only allowing web shops to remain open to conduct their business as they have been duly licensed. And that is the offering of web café services. The injunction does not give web shop businesses the right to engage in online casino gambling or selling numbers.

The prime minister and the attorney general in my opinion have intentionally confused the electorate with respect to this matter. The prime minister said that the matter was before the courts and that he could not comment further. The Attorney General said that we will maintain the “status quo”.

What they really should have said was the plain truth. They deliberately did not explain this matter to the Bahamian people who were led to believe that the injunction gives web shops the right to carry on with their illegal business activities. The commissioner of police in all his brilliance and wisdom should be able to see through this ‘hole in the wall’ and uphold the laws of the Bahamas.

The Bahamian people voted a resounding No to the gambling referendum and the top three most important people in the country with regards to law enforcement appear to be playing “cat and mouse”.

Bahamians have sadly come to expect politicians to give them misinformation and half truths, but not the office of the commissioner of police. I beseech the commissioner, an astute and professional man to act above the fray and carry out the laws of the country. I entreat the commissioner, a devoted Christian to refrain from being a part of this dishonorable and despicable plot to deceive a nation and do his part in ensuring that the laws of our great country are carried out. Stand your ground sir.

Dehavilland Moss