Over the Years

 Down the memory lane…The Royal Bahamas Police Force

Explored by Columbus, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas became independent within the Commonwealth of Nations in 1973, but retained Queen Elizabeth II as the constitutional head of state. The country with its 700 islands and 2500 cays famed for huge influx of tourists gives every opportunity to disappear into a mangrove forest, explore a coral reef and escape the daily grind of life.

As the police force celebrates its 165th anniversary this year, we take a peek into the past of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Policing in The Bahamas

During the early years of British colonial rule, slaves made up the majority of the population in the Bahamas. The little policing needed was done by the free population with the help of Constables, Magistrates, and the Justices of the Peace. Any rebellion or potential rebellion by the slaves was kept in check by the local detachment of soldiers and slave owners.

Not surprisingly from the early 18th century to the latter part of the 19th century, the development of policing generally followed along the lines similar to that of its colonial rulers. During the first half of this period, men were appointed as constables to enforce government rules and regulations, and to apprehend offenders. Records show that as early as 1729, constables were assigned to each provincial area. The constables were attached to the local Magistrates and Justices of the Peace. Besides the constables, night watchmen were also assigned to protect mainly the capital town of Nassau.

Bahamas Police Force
Source: Google /images

The Changing Face

In 1799, an Act of the General Assembly (now called Parliament) declared that all the constables would have the same powers as their counterparts in England. They could now arrest on suspicion of crime as opposed to only after the crime had been committed. In 1827, the assembly stipulated their mode of appointment. Only one constable was appointed to serve at a time in each district. These appointments were made by the serving Magistrate with the assistance of two Justices of the Peace. Influential plantation owners nominated the prospective constables.

As time passed and crime increased, a small number of constables were appointed to serve at the same time. However, they were never organised into a formal police force. Each was responsible to the Magistrate in a particular district. What is interesting to note is that this system of constables has evolved into the District and Local constables of today.

The Eye of the Owl

Prior to the abolition of slavery in 1834, there was a system of night patrols in New Providence called the Night Guard. The men forming this guard were supervised by the local Magistrate. Their duties were primarily to protect the homes and businesses of the free population at night.

The Other Might

The West India regiment was stationed in Nassau to take care of any serious breach of peace throughout The Bahamas. In addition, their duties also included the protection of the islanders from foreign invaders. These men were trained soldiers recruited from different ethnic groups in Africa and The Caribbean. The soldiers lived in barracks in isolation from the populations to ensure their loyalty in the vent of a local slave uprising.

The Formalisation of the Force

On 1 March 1840, The Bahamas Police Force was formed under the command of Inspector General John Pinder. Out of the 16 men inducted, some were former Night Guards. This new Police Force was distinctly non-military in nature and provided a twenty four hour patrol of the Island of New Providence. It was not until several years later that members were transferred to other islands. By the end of 1840, the strength of the Force included a Inspector General and a total of thirty Sergeants, Corporals and Constables or Privates as they were also called.

Women in the Force

During the 1960's, the presence of women in the Bahamas was recognised. It began with the Act giving women the right to vote and sit in the Legislature. In 1964, women applied to become police officers. Out of 122 candidates, six women were selected. Training began on 23 November, 1964.

Prior to the admission of females as police officers, the organisation relied heavily on the services of a female civilian referred to as a Matron. The chief responsibility of the Matron was to assist male officers whenever females or children were in police custody.

The Royal Mark

The Bahamas Police received the title "Royal" from Queen Elizabeth II at the conclusion of her first visit to the Colony of The Bahamas in 1966. This royal honour, shared with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and several other Commonwealth police agencies, is a mark of the high esteem and deep regard felt for the police officers of the Bahamas by Her Majesty.

The Force after Independence

Independence resulted in the induction of Bahamians at senior levels into the police force. It called for the total abandonment of the recruiting policy in which foreigners were brought in as police officers to work in senior posts while Bahamians were kept primarily in the lower ranks. Mr. Salatheil Harvey Thompson was the first Bahamian Commissioner of Police to be appointed on 1 June 1973.