Dames: Government contracts granted to the police a dangerous precedent

Marvin Dames. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune staff

By Jade Russell

Tribune staff reporter

[email protected]

Former National Security Minister Marvin Dames said that the Davis administration is giving government contracts to senior police officers without adequate parameters, establishing what he believes is a dangerous precedent that opens the door to the officers who prioritize personal gain About public service.

The attached commissioner Anthony Rolle, whose appointment has caused criticism of the free national movement, is allegedly the founder of a company, Priority Security Services, who received a security service contract from the Department of the Post Office in February 2024 for $ 947k . It is not clear if others were invited to offer for the contract.

On Friday, Dames said during his time in the police force of Royal Bahamas, the policy emphasized that senior officers should not obtain government commercial contracts. He said that the absence of clear guidelines for the award of contracts to senior officers raises concerns about whether political considerations influence such contracts.

He affirmed that there is an increasing number of police officers in high -ranking positions that direct business while juggling with their duties over force. “This is just something that has come to light in recent times, and certainly under this government,” he said.

“The precedent that this is being established in the absence of any guide and politics is very dangerous. Because if he says that as a very high officer, the government will give you a contract or give you a business over other citizens of bahames that compete against you. ”

“Open the door even to a greater element of corruption.

“What happens now is that when you should have your senior officers focused on combating crime, reducing crime and crime prevention, they are more focused on their own results, how do you win more money?”

While Dames emphasized that the senior officials or other government officials who are looking for additional ways to support their families are not opposed, he urged the need for clear rules that govern how contracts are granted to those in high -ranking positions.

For his part, the Minister of National Security, Wayne Munroe, said he did not remember having renewed or granted security licenses to any senior police officers. He said he could have granted licenses to one or two main superintendents retired after his retirement.

He said that there are no special guidelines for senior officers requesting contracts, except that officers cannot participate in a work that conflicts their duties. He pointed out that only a conflict of interest would arise if the public duties of an officer disagree with their private commercial activities.

“The duty of a policeman is for public security and security,” he said. “You cannot do anything that compromises your duty to guarantee public safety.”