Bottom Line: Defense Force Re-Organization

Over the years it is unquestionable that the Force has lost focus, professionalism, morality and expertise. This was echoed by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Cynthia Pratt comments that notwithstanding the fine character and quality of few members of the Defence Force, it was found that the Defence Force is "…deficient in organizational effectiveness and noted that strengthening was required in discipline and that the reports of sexual harassment and the question of corruption led to loss of public trust."

The Defence Force review team made a total of 134 recommendations, which is intended to transform the Force into an "effective, transparent and modern organization."

In an effort to implement these recommendations, the government through the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Hon Cynthia Pratt, has pledge to fully implement the recommendations by appointing an "Implementation Committee" lead by the former attorney general, Paul Adderley. Other members of the committee are the former COB President Dr. Kevin Bethel; COB academic Jessica Minnis; and Retired Commodore Leon Smith. To carry out this function, the implementation committee must bear in mind so many factors to enable them diligently perform their task successfully, because the country depends on their wisdom to achieve the goal of transforming the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to modern day excellent professional organization.

There are quite a number of competent and well-trained former members of the Defence Force who are seconded to many government departments; whose professional skills and expertise is urgently needed to help in the reorganization of the Defence Force. Among these prime and top skilled persons are Capt Anthony Allen, the present Port Captain; Godfrey Rolle, F. A. Clarke, and Bush Scavella, etc. It is vital that the implementation committee invite all these members on secondment to return back to the Defence Force base and be considered in the general process of reorganization for various position and promotion.

Further, the Defence Force management should be classified into three major sections: Administration; Operations; and Legal Affairs. It is suggested that the Legal Section be headed by Lawrence Kline, Godfrey Rolle to head the Operation Section (promoted to Captain); and Bush Scavella be promoted to Commander and head the Administration Section; while Capt. Anthony Allen be promoted to Commodore and head of the Defence Force.

The implementation committee must also realize that the Defense Force has not had any promotion since after the government of Hubert Ingraham left office while the Royal Bahamas Police Force has had promotion during the same period and again under the present government. It is obvious then why key members of the Defence Force and the general rank and file lack morale and job satisfaction. It is wrong for the government to promote only a section of the security agency in the country at the expense of others. The Police and the Defence Force as well as others such as Immigration, and Customs should be promoted in sequential order simultaneously.

The implementation committee must ensure that they impress the government that there is need for less interference in the affairs of the Defence Force by the political class. The political class brought the mess that is at the Defence Force at this time and if allowed to continue meddling into the management and operations of the Defense Force, more mess will certainly happen and the nation would not appreciate to be placed in such a mess again, particularly as it exposes the country’s national security and creates floodgate for illegal immigrants and drug dealers and human smugglers.

The appointment of senior members of the force must be based strictly on merit and level of training. Personnel such Capt Anthony Allen whom the government has spent so much to train should not be left to other assignment at position other than as the Defence Force Commodore where his skills will be most beneficial to the nation. Political manipulation has caused endemic nepotism in the force had to deal with and must be eradicated; and the only way to streamline the force into one of disciple and professionalism is the appointment of well experience person as the head of the Force. It is certain that the politician will not listen but they have to realize that the country will hold them accountable for the mistake they make this time around.

The present Commodore David Rolle has led the Force from humble beginning of strength to strength but over the years, he has lead the Defense Force to a decline in professionalism and have experienced the highest level of sexual immorality in the Force history where the level of sexual abuse and harassment has become so rampant that it is incomparable in The Bahamas history. However, the nation must recognize his unique contribution to the growth in the Defense Force and re-assign him to other befitting positions in the Civil Service. Defence Force is in the season of reorganization to strengthen its capability according to Minister Cynthia Pratt, responsible for the Defence Force. Mrs. Pratt, in communication to Parliament, stressed that the government’s intention is the "transforming of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force into an effective, transparent and modern organization."