Defence Force Gets New Chief

Pledging his best efforts, Commodore Scavella admitted that his greatest challenge moving ahead would be to refocus and recondition his officers.

"I have often joked that even if an officer were to get drunk and fall down, he or she should do so with a certain sense of dignity…We want to reemphasize the importance and prestige of this organization," Commodore Scavella said during his first briefing with the press since assuming the command of the RBDF.

"Someone once said to me that at one time we had it right. The Bahamian people were proud of this organization. But I was asked, ‘what went wrong? Something went wrong’ Seemingly we are on this threshold of a crossroad and we are going to seek to get it right."

Commodore Scavella began his career at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force as a marine recruit in 1979.

Since then, he has served in various capacities, including military operation platoon officer, assistant squadron commanding officer, executive officer and director of training.

He was one of the key organizers in the force’s deployment of troops in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), multi-national forces and United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Haiti in 1994.

Commodore Scavella was awarded the Silver Jubilee Award in 1998 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to national development in the field of law enforcement in The Bahamas.

He was appointed Bahamas consul to the Republic of Haiti in 2001 and upon his return to New Providence, was appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs as chief passport officer in 2003.

The commodore designate, who succeeds Commodore Davy Rolle, accepted his new role with mixed emotions - humility, profound gratitude and a full heart.

He said he also did so with anxiety regarding whether his abilities will keep pace with his eagerness to render service.

"It is my great duty to know that I will work hard at this job. I pledge my best efforts as Commander of the Defense Force to continue the glorious work of the organization…I will always try to have justice, to do mercy and to walk humbly with my God," Commodore Scavella said.

"I will faithfully discharge my duties to the best of my ability. My every effort will be exerted to justify the expression of praise and confidence uttered thus far in this nation. With the help of the creator, I will strive to be a capable, conscientious, humble presiding officer of this Royal Bahamas Defence Force. I will be courteous and considerate of all. I recognize clearly the weight of the responsibility placed upon me and I assure you I shall never ever give short weight to those responsibilities."

Nine and a half years ago, Commodore Scavella served as Commodore Rolle’s parade commander.

After 27 years and six months of military service, Commodore Rolle officially ended that career and began his pre-retirement leave, saying that the knowledge gained, experiences and camaraderie would remain with him for the rest of this life.

In a brief farewell speech, he reflected on his tenure, which he said has seen both highs and lows. He also spoke about major concerns and challenges that continue to exist like the ongoing need for adequate equipment.

"To effectively execute our missions, we need to ensure that our asset complement is adequate. Boats are expensive, but essential," Commodore Rolle said as the Commander in Chief, His Excellency, Governor General Arthur D. Hanna, and senior government and law enforcement officials looked on.

"Trained personnel require the right tools. It is my hope and wish therefore that the men and women of this force, as well as other law enforcement agencies in the country, receive the necessary material support which will provide for mission excellence."

He added that other major challenges included training and deployment and the development of a national security plan.

"I encourage the government to move forward with this proposal. Such a plan would focus not only on narcotic trafficking, illegal migration, poaching, environmental disasters [and] terrorism, but inclusive of deliberate joint law enforcement coordination and activities with central data bases and intelligence," Commodore Rolle said.

"I see this as a major part of national development, particularly as communities throughout the country are experiencing economic and social changes."

He also continued to push the need to reaffirm the force’s mandate.

"Philosophically, I believe it is time that the mandate of [the] Royal Bahamas Defence [Force] is revisited so as to ensure suitability and viability in today’s security environment. The increasing demands of the state, in terms of nature and scope, make this review a pressing concern."

Saluting both men on their milestones, Prime Minister Perry Christie said their stories prove that anyone can legitimately aspire to dream big.

"These are men who have made it the old fashioned way. They have earned the positions they hold," he said.