By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

SERGEANT Dwayne Rolle, Police Staff Association president, said yesterday the government’s 2013/2014 budget focuses only on equipment the Royal Bahamas Police Force needs and not the officers themselves.

Mr Rolle said while officers recognize the initiatives as “good” the budget lacks a “human touch.”

The government has earmarked $2 million for the purchase of police vehicles and $8 million for the recruitment of 450 police officers over the 2012-2014 period. Provisions were also made for  $500,000 for the implementation of Closed Circuit Television throughout the island of New Providence.

Mr Rolle said the government can allocate money for equipment all it wants, but without the people to run it and manage it, it is a useless investment.

“Police officers currently work in awful and sub standard environments. This fact is a major concern for police officers and lends to the issue of low morale throughout the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Police Stations throughout the Family Islands are often left out when considering upgrades and consistent maintenance. It is noted that $300,000 has been provided for Police Buildings. This figure is insufficient to address the serious state of disrepair that exists concerning Police Buildings,” he said, noting that the old adage “you are a product of your environment” still holds true today. The Government cannot expect police offices to deliver professional service to citizens when their work environments leave much to be desired, he said. “This is counterproductive and will always present an impediment to crime fighting strategy.”

“The Forensic Lab was provided $110,000 for the purchase of equipment. Once again, the equipment is needed, but a proper lab that meets international standards is more than needed. A proper lab has been promised by successive governments and to date it is not a reality. Crime fighting and reduction must be dealt with in a holistic manner. And, a fully functioning, internationally standardized lab will assist tremendously in the fight against crime. A lab will increase the solvability of all crimes and reduce reliance on eye witnesses. Science is the ‘silent witness’ which will ultimately reduce the need for huge investments in Witness Protection Programmes. These programmes are very expensive and very difficult to manage in small countries like the Bahamas. “

Mr Rolle said the training, salary and allowances seem to also to have been totally disregarded in the budget.

“The budget fails miserably in this regard. Salary and Allowances were also not considered in the Budget. The last adjustment to police officers salary occurred in 2002. Since this time inflation has averaged around two per cent, while salaries remained constant. It goes without saying, in order to retain and attract qualified and professional police officers, someone has to pay. Morale continues to be threatened by issues concerning pay and allowances,” he said.

“Police officers are expected to walk into the face of danger daily without adequate compensation. Therefore, police officers expect to be fairly compensated for the jobs they carry out in the country. Issues concerning insurance, hazardous and uniform allowance have not been addressed once again. The officers working in areas like Northeastern Division (Wulff Road), Eastern Division (Elizabeth Estate and Fox Hill Station, which is operated with a large hole in its roof). South Central Station officers find themselves without sufficient  resources to effectively carry out their daily duties and the resources that are needed to serve the communities of Yellow Elder, Stapleton Garden, Millennium Garden, Montell Heights, Englerston and Black Village area, all of which are considered somewhat high risk areas. Carmichael Police Station has one of the largest and fast growing communities that demands increased manpower as well as equipment.”

Mr Rolle said officers are operating below the calibre of weapons the criminals are using daily and the government needs to ensure that the officers on patrol and at the stations have the necessary equipment to combat crime.