QUESTION # 3. EXPANSION ON FACTORS I FURTHER COMMENTS

a) Petty Rules and Regulations.

It is not the rules, nor regulations, that I object to, rather the manner in which I have seen them applied.

Investigating Officers act as ‘prosecutors’ and as such present a distorted view of what they perceive to be the facts of a case. An intention to produce ‘results’ in the form of convictions appears to be the motivation behind such investigators and, in turn, review Officers are either misled, or show bias accordingly.

Notes to file are all to common as a tool of oppression and promote the impression that Officers are attempting to distance themselves from the lower ranks.

b) Relations with Colleagues.

Here I speak with first hand knowledge of the Narcotics Office

There is a lack of trust between officers in this department. Any progression by a single officer is deemed to be regression by officers not directly involved, healthy competition does not exist. Petty jealousies are tolerated and malicious or slanderous remarks the norm.

Most of the adverse comments or actions are brought about by insecurity, officers’ inability to function in the environment that they now find themselves in. Rather than adapt or evolve they rely upon demeaning methods to justify their ignorance.

c) Not enough Responsibility

‘Detective’ is a label applied to any plain-clothes officer, it is not a job description. The use of initiative is not promoted and paranoia reigns. There is a responsibility toward ensuring that the annual arrest quota is met and that paper work is completed, often to the detriment of the Case. However, with many officers incapable of constructing statements it is not surprising that the responsibility given to individuals is minimum.

 d) No Prospects

With continued reference to my being a loose cannon, and a non-existent (by many standards) complaints record that was always thrown in my face, it was inevitable that any form of progression would elude me.

Superintendent Birmingham uses the term ‘loose cannon’ with respect to me but has never taken the time to define his interpretation of the logic with which he applies the phrase.

That I have been capable of freethinking and am prepared to pursue enquiries vigorously may well constitute the expression. The fear has always appeared to be what I may uncover as opposed to what I may do.

The reference to my complaints record is enigma that eludes me. My last complaint was pre my Narcotics posting. Yet another example of attempts to discourage me from working and providing others with an excuse not to work.

My current predicament has left me with no option but to leave Bermuda. My contract will not be renewed because, according to the Commission of Police

i) I buck authority

ii) I attempted to tape record a chief inspector.

Both unsubstantiated allegations which have left me without employment after almost 5 years of hard work and to which I have little recourse. I have been discarded at a whim and that should cause others concern.

According to F.S.I. any adverse report against a member is to be brought to that member’s attention and should be initialed by same.

I have never seen the adverse report(s) that suggest the allegations at (i) and (ii) above. At least one of these allegations would, I believe, fall within the scope of the offence described as insubordination, both are adverse reports.

Without a chance to present my perspective of the allegations I am transferred to uniform and my service terminated. Not a very democratic system and one which is archaic in civilised circles.

Not bringing a report to the attention of a member is covered by the discipline code as per Oppressive Conduct.

That the termination is as a result of unsubstantiated information provided by or on behalf of an Officer who is himself under investigation is galling.

Chief Inspector Ramsey’s allegation that I attempted to tape record him, after he saw me discussing his lack of office management with Superintendent Birmingham is hardly surprising.

I had asked to see Mr Birmingham with regard to an overtime claim that Mr Ramsey was disputing. It Was Mr Birmingham who brought up the subject of why the hours worked would be questioned by the O.I.C. Narcotics when, after all, he should know the hours that I worked. I informed Mr Birmingham that matters were kept from Mr Ramsey for a reason, namely security and commented on his habit of telephoning women to whom he would play soft music via the stereo adjacent to his desk. In short I presented a picture of incompetence covered by mock eccentricities.

It was my impression that this knowledge would remain with Mr Birmingham, however, I now find myself unemployed. (the overtime claim was approved and paid ! ).

e) Poor Communication with Higher Ranks.

This should be evident from (d) above.

That there exists within the force a rank structure that considers ‘Inspector’ a safety zone is evident. The discipline system is used (abused) such that it promotes a gap between the Officer ranks and the lower ranks.