Thursday, November 12, 2020
POLICE Commissioner Paul Rolle says he’s seeking guidance over matters related to curfew infractions that have been recorded on police records.
There has been much discussion on social media surrounding the issue after a photo circulated showing what appeared to be a police record documenting that an offence as “breach of curfew order” along with a sentence of $400 or two months in prison for failing to pay the fine.
Some have said the action labels people who commit a minor curfew offence as criminals.
Mr Rolle said: “Prior to the change in the amendments in the Emergency Powers Orders that permits police to issue tickets, those original and those initial ones of the persons who appeared before the courts those will be recorded as convictions.”
“I had a look at that last night we’ll be seeking guidance on that as to the way forward in terms with how we will deal with those. I should be able to advise you better after my consultation with the attorney general on the way forward in dealing with those matters.”
He also said: “The persons who receive the tickets today they have a pay period. If they pay within that period, then there’s no record. If they decide to challenge it, they go before the court and they get convicted. That is a conviction that will be recorded. That is what had taken place in the first round and I think a lot of times I have seen some of the comments being made on social media in ignorance.”
“I have undertaken though to try and get clarification. We don’t want to see people having convictions, but that is the law. That has to be now corrected or adjusted in legislation. That’s not the domain of the commissioner. That has to be addressed elsewhere.”
Asked how many were included in the first round of ticketing, Mr Rolle said: “I don’t have the numbers here before me. I am saying that whatever those numbers are, we don’t want it to be an impediment to persons so whether the authorities decide to make it a civil penalty or a criminal penalty then whichever we’ll just let the law take its course with that.”
Comments
Bahamabird says...
He also said: “The persons who receive the tickets today they have a pay period. If they pay within that period, then there’s no record. If they decide to challenge it, they go before the court and they get convicted. That is a conviction that will be recorded.
Follow up question: What of the people who do not challenge that they were wrong, but cannot pay? They go before the court, plead guilty and get a record?
Posted 12 November 2020, 4:42 p.m. Suggest removal
DDK says...
They automatically get convicted if they challenge and go before the courts? Clarity, please..
Posted 12 November 2020, 6:03 p.m. Suggest removal
BONEFISH says...
Parliament has to review that law and make amendments if need be. The commissioner is right in what he is saying.
This happens when laws and regulations are passed without properly understanding their effects. Sometimes they create a cascading effect and have unintended consequences. You are now giving criminal records to persons for some minor offences if they are found guilty. Hence you may end up having persons with criminal records who may lose employment or may not become employed if they don't have a clean police record.
Posted 12 November 2020, 6:44 p.m. Suggest removal
JokeyJack says...
It's been the same for marijuana smokers for years. Permanent life traumatizing police records. Nobody cares about that. It's just the way things are. If you are born a Bahamian, then this is what you get. Wonder if this is what Ping meant by our birthright? The right to be a lightbulb?
Posted 12 November 2020, 11:31 p.m. Suggest removal
SP says...
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah....**Absolute steaming horse nanny!**
So these clowns can lock down the entire country and restrict movement at the drop of hat, but cannot deal with this stupidity, which by the way should have been **"THOUGHT THROUGH"** at the start of this non-sense.
How many Bahamian lives will be negatively affected? No new legislation is needed.
The emergency powers the "competent authority" used to dream up and implement these fines could be used to amend them immediately, and the same holds true with legalizing pot!
This is simply another prime example of what makes the Bahamas a regressive police state. We must really love pain and suffering in this country!!!
Posted 13 November 2020, 9:04 a.m. Suggest removal
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