WHATEVER OFFICIAL explanation surfaces, either before or after this regular weekly column appears today, a disturbing precedent has been created, one that could hardly be viewed on the credit side for the Barbados Government. It pertains to this week’s stunning removal from office of Police Commissioner Darwin Dottin.
As a journalist covering events and developments within our Caribbean Community for many years, I know of no precedent of the head of a local police force/service being so suddenly and crudely humiliated in the manner done against Commissioner Dottin – without even a terse official public statement for his dramatic departure.
Since an injunction has been filed in the High Court requesting a halt to today’s scheduled meeting of the Police Service Commission (PSC) to consider filling the post of Deputy Police Commissioner, there could well be a related development prior to reading of this column.
Nevertheless, the damage has been done to the social/political fabric of Barbados, which is respected for its commitment to the norms of constitutional, democratic governance that includes independent supporting arms/agencies of the state such as the Police Service Commission (PSC).
I failed in efforts to reach any official of the PSC for a response, prior to writing this column. But the public at large would be fully aware that whatever the precise factor, or factors driving those who comprise the Commission, no interest has been shown in respect of public opinion. Silence was the preferred option. Why?
After all it cannot be beyond the intellectual capacity of the members of the PSC to exhibit a modicum of respect for public intelligence. No question of national security is involved. For his part, Mr Dottin is not wanted for any known crime; any known unethical behaviour, or any partisan political confrontation with the government.
In the current rounds of initiatives and manoeuvres to fill the post of Deputy Police Commissioner, he may well have rattled some members of the PSC or political directorate. Such differences have occasionally occurred in a few other CARICOM jurisdictions.
But this, by itself, cannot be sufficient reason to prevent Mr Dottin from being invited, in accordance with established precedents, to participate in consultations on the appointment of a new Deputy Commissioner. Worse, to ignominiously be sent packing. This kind of politicking is associated with dictatorships.
So, while we await the outcome of the filed injunction to halt today’s scheduled interviews with applicants wishing to be Deputy Commissioner of the RBPF, perhaps the Association of Caribbean Police Commissioners could enlighten the region’s people where it stands on this unprecedented removal from office of one of its own.
• Rickey Singh is a noted Caribbean journalist; [email protected].
