By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

HUMAN Rights Bahamas said it is “extremely disturbed” by a video showing a police officer violently confiscating a cell phone from a civilian and is calling for disciplinary action against the officer involved.

The organisation also urged senior law enforcement officials to remind officers that they work for and are accountable to the public.

The video, which has circulated on social media, shows four uniformed officers entering a yard where at least five minors and another adult were gathered. One officer approached the man filming and said: “I letting you know right now don’t record me without my consent.” The officer seized the device despite the man telling the officer he was inside his yard. The man could be heard saying, “Give me my phone”.

In a statement, Human Rights Bahamas condemned the officer’s actions.

“This is totally unacceptable behaviour by law enforcement in a country that purports to operate with transparency, accountability and according to the rule of law,” the organisation said. “The police have no right to confiscate private property without due cause, nor prevent members of the public from recording officers while they are in public areas executing official duties. The use of anonymous official force is the trademark of autocratic and unfree societies; not rights-based constitutional democracies like The Bahamas.”

The Tribune contacte Royal Bahamas Police Force press liaison Chief Superintendent Sheria King for comment but received no response up to press time.

National Security officials have repeatedly emphasised the public’s right to record law enforcement officers as they conduct their duties.

During her swearing-in ceremony earlier this year, Commissioner Shanta Knowles pledged to hold officers accountable. She said she would prompt mandatory ethics training and ensure all frontline officers wear body cameras.