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I want to join the Royal Bahamas Police.
How do I do it?
If you are a Bahamian
citizen, between 18 years and 30 years of age and in good health
with a suitable educational background you can apply for a career
with the Royal Bahamas Police. The
Police College is located in Nassau and the training period is six
months. There is also a branch of the Police College in Freeport,
Grand Bahama. After training you will be posted to a station
somewhere in The Bahamas. After 18 months or so you can apply for
specialisation in a particular area through further study and
completing courses in various aspects of policing. Policing is
an exciting and rewarding career. For more information contact the
Police College in Nassau.
POLICE COLLEGE 1
242 355 4444 www.rbpf.org
What about the police
reserve?
The police reserve is made up
persons who are least 18 years old. You must be a resident of The
Bahamas, have an educational background acceptable to the police
service, undergo three months of training afterwhich you are
required to pass a proficiency examination on General Police Duties.
Reserve officers, when on duty, have the same powers as a member of
the regular police service. They are also governed by the Police Act
as are the officers of the regular force. Reserve officers are
required to put in at least 35 hours of service a month for which a
stipend is paid. Reserve constables can also be promoted within the
ranks. It is an excellent form of community service. For more
information contact the Alice Town Bimini Police Station or the
Police Reserve office at Police Headquarters in Nassau 242 322 4444.
Chief Supt John Ferguson is the officer-in-charge of the Police
Reserve Officers. www.royalbahamaspolicereserves.com
I lost my passport. What should I
do?
Without delay notify the nearest police
station that your passport is missing, lost or stolen. If it is
damaged bring your passport to the Administrator's Office. The staff
will give you instructions on what to do next. 
Your passport is a very valuable
government document. While your name is in it it does not belong to
you. It is the property of the Bahamas Government. If you lose it or have it stolen report it
immediately. The police officer will take a written statement
from you concerning your passport's loss and the circumstances
surrounding its loss or being stolen. After an investigation a
police report may be issued to the Passport Office indicating that
the police enquiry into the matter is complete and recommend that a
new passport be issued. The investigation can take weeks or even
months. The Government wants to be sure that the passport is indeed
lost, damaged or stolen. The police want to be satisfied that you or
another person did not sell your passport, which is a very serious
crime, or that you were not simply careless with it. Your passport
is a precious document. Secure it in a safe
place when you do not require it. Never allow another person to have
possession of it. Do not leave it with anyone. Treat it very
carefully. Only after an exhaustive investigation will
you be able to get another one.
I was walking on the road with two
friends and a police stopped us to ask who we were and what we were
doing. Can he do that?
If a police officer has good reason to
suspect that something is amiss he can ask you for your name and
what you are doing. If he suspects you are not telling the truth you
can actually be arrested until your identity can be verified. This
is not an example of the police hassling you. If an officer is not
sure who you are he can ask. Remember, the police want to keep the
community safe and knowing who is out and about is part of his duty.
You might fit the description of someone the police are looking
for or you could be in an area where a crime was reported.
Again, its about keeping everyone safe and everyone's property
secure.
What if a police officer acts in a way
that is not fitting for a police. Or, say a police is taking
advantage of his position as a police, what can I
do?
The Commissioner of Police has made it
clear to both the police service and the public that corruption or
abuse by police officers will not be tolerated. Contact the
Police Discipline and Complaints Unit in Nassau. 242
322-4444.
How can I join the Bimini Fire
Brigade?
While the Police are responsible for the
fire service in The Bahamas, the out islands, and Bimini is
included, needs volunteers to serve as fire-fighters along with the
police. If you are 18 years old or older contact the District
Administrator's Office in Alice Town and give them your name. You'll
be placed on the volunteer list and be called out for occasional
training and fire practice. 347 3222
Volunteers are needed
for the Fire Brigade
How can I keep my house or business safe
from thieves? 
First, lets talk about your house.
Thieves will be able to enter your house if your doors and windows
are not secured. Be sure that your doors have dead bolt locks and
that your windows cannot easily be opened. A dead bolt lock that
requires a key to be used on both sides is best. This way if a
robber enters your house through a window he will not be able
to use the doors to get out and thus is unable to carry large items.
Remember, too, that proper and effective lighting can deter a thief.
Be sure you have security lights around your house or motion
detector lights. Thieves hate light! Also, inside your home you can
install, for very little money, motion detectors that will sound an
alarm. On your major appliances scratch your name or telephone
number in an area not readily visible. If it is stolen and later
found you can easily ID your property. Also, write down the serial
numbers of your most expensive items. This will help ID the property
when it is located. Much of this information also applies to a
business place. Have adequate lighting and install an alarm. Within
your shop be sure the shelves are arranged in a way that the store
cashier or other staff can always see clearly every corner of the
shop. This will make it more difficult for people to steal from you
If you enter your house or business and discover that it has been
entered and possibly items stolen DO NOT
TOUCH ANYTHING AND DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE INTO YOUR HOUSE OR
SHOP. Do not disturb the crime scene in any
way as valuable clues can be lost. Finger prints, shoe prints,
dust prints, fibres from clothes, even hair strands can now be used
to identify a thief. Call 919 and tell the police officer that you
have discovered a break-in. For more information on security contact
the police station and a police officer will be happy to survey your
premises and assist you with security questions and planning. 347
3144
Fingerprints on a coffee mug help to
identify the person who broke into a house.
A Scenes of Crime Officer is a
specially trained police professional who is able to process a crime
scene and collect forensic material that often leads to arrests. The
use of modern fingerprint technology and analysis together with
other new evidence processing procedures helps investigators to
solve crimes. Crime solving involves analytical thinking, problem
solving skills and techniques and science. The Royal Bahamas Police
in Bimini are able to process some of this material in its own
lab area. The Bimini Division is also able to send forensic material
to police laboratories in Freeport and Nassau and if necessary to
crime labs in the United States.
http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/315/315lect05.htm
Why, on Bimini, do we need to wear
helmets on our scooters? I don't drive fast.
The Road Traffic Regulations regarding
helmets are part of the Law that applies to the entire Bahamas. It's
really a safety matter. The Government of The Bahamas, the
Parliament of The Bahamas, enacted the Road Traffic Act. The Royal
Bahamas Police have a responsibility to enforce it. The helmet
is worn to protect you against serious head injuries should you have
an accident. Some say they do not drive fast or that they are good
drivers. That may true, but there are other people on the roads, in
trucks and cars, who may not be so careful and could slam into you,
knock you off your bike and injure you. If you are wearing a proper
safety helmet you can protect yourself from brain injuries.
Remember, scrapes and bruises heal. Bones will mend, but head
injuries and brain injuries are often less likely to heal
completely. So, protect yourself. And remember, if you have a
brain injury you can become a burden to your family. Therefore, it
is just the smart thing to do. Wear your helmet. Protect yourself
and your family.
Also, carrying a child with you on a
scooter is very wrong. It is so dangerous and reckless that it
makes a person wonder if some people really do care for and love
their children. Keep it safe.
I hear the police sometimes refer to
things as a civil matter. What is that?
A civil mater is when two or more people
have a dispute over land, property or money, or they simply
can't get along with one another. These are not criminal matters,
but rather civil matters. These matters are dealt with by the Courts
(Civil Side). For example, two people are arguing over a bill and
over an amount to be paid. Or someone doesn't pay a bill. The police
do not get involved in these situations. They refer people to the
Administrator's Office, where these people are put in civil court
before the magistrate who hears the case and issues a ruling. The
police can then enforce the ruling. If people can't get along the
Court may bind a person "over to keep the peace" for a period of
time. Should a problem ensue after they have been "bound over" the
police can enforce the Court's order and jail a person for breaking
the "peace".
Is bail an automatic right?
No. When a person is arrested and charged
with an offence they have the right to apply for
police bail which may or may not be granted depending on
circumstances. Once in Court the police bail, if granted, is then
withdrawn and Court bail may then be granted if the judge deems it
appropriate. If the Court believes that the person is a danger to
the community, or may well flee the jurisdiction of the court and
not appear, bail can be denied. Everyone has the right to
apply for bail. It is the Court which determines if bail
will be granted or if the person will be remanded in custody
until the trial begins. If a person is denied bail at the
Magistrate's Court they may apply for bail at the Supreme
Court. However, the Supreme Court may choose not to grant bail given
the situation of the accused.
How do I get my driver's
licence?
When you are 17 years old take your
passport or a photo ID to the Administrator's Office and apply for a
PERMIT. The cost is $10 and this permits you to drive a vehicle
along with a licenced driver who is in the front passenger seat.
This is the time when you learn to drive and develop your driving
skills. When you feel you are ready for the written driver's
examination return to the Administrator's Office and attempt the
test. If you are successful a police officer will take you on a road
test. If successful you will be given your driver's licence.
Remember, keep your licence valid and up to date. Foreigners
must be at least 17 years of age to operate a vehicle in The
Bahamas -- even if they hold a valid licence but
are younger than 17 years.
The police in Bimini have several
computers now and specially trained detectives. Bimini, it
seems, is getting pretty high tech. 
Technology is an important component of
modern policing. The Bimini District is using computers extensively
and specially trained officers are able to access and enter critical
information into the police computer systems to assist in
policing the islands of the District. The police have modern
equipment to process crime scenes also and a modern communications
system which includes satellite phone hookups with police stations
and control rooms throughout the country. The police boat is also
adequately equipped with communication technology and GPS systems to
assist in any emergency at sea. However, the best tool the police
often have but need more often is INFORMATION. In order to keep the
community safe the police need to have information about who is
doing what or who did what. If you know of a crime that has been
committed and have information that would help to solve it please
call the police station. You are then doing your part in making
Bimini a safer place. However, when you know something and
keep it to yourself you are in a way approving of the crime and
allowing it to continue. The police want to protect
everyone's life and property. Information helps us to do that. If
you know something share it. Your information can be given quietly
and privately - no one needs to know its you that provided it...not
even the police. Anonymous callers are important to the policing of
Bimini. Help us keep all of us safe and our
property secure.
I want to get my car licenced. What do I
need to do?
Bring your vehicle to any of Bimini's
police stations. You must present your valid driver's licence, your
valid certificate of insurance and ownership papers. Your vehicle
must pass the inspection so be sure it is in good working order. The
police officer will inspect your vehicle and determine if it has
passed. If not, the officer will explain what the vehicle needs to
successfully secure an inspection certificate. The licence plates,
discs and stickers are issued by the Road Traffic Department in the
Administrator's Office. They also collect the fees.
What about TINTS on my car windshield?
Just what is the issue?
The issue is safety. Police officers need
to see clearly who is operating a vehicle. An officer needs to know
how many people are in a vehicle before approaching it. If someone
stole your vehicle, the thieves could be armed. If your vehicle is
involved in careless driving the driver needs to be identified by
the general public and the police. Its all about being
safe.
Tints are illegal if they do not permit a
clear unobstructed view of the interior from the exterior. You
CAN tint your windows but not so dark that the interior cannot be
seen. If you are unsure, bring your vehicle to the police station
for a tint evaluation. Its about being safe.
Can I get a licence for a
gun?
You can apply for a gun licence at any
police station. Firearms are to be used for hunting purposes. The
firearm must be presented to the police for inspection. A lengthy
application must be completed which must include passport size
photos of yourself. You must also bring your passport, driver's
licence and national insurance number to the station. You must
have two character reference letters attached to your application
and a current police character certificate. Further, a police
officer must inspect the place where you will keep your firearm to
insure that it is being held in a safe/strong box that is attached
firmly to a wall or floor. Being in possession of an
unlicenced firearm carries a substantial consequence involving fines
and imprisonment. It is a safety concern. Guns in the hands of
children or criminals are weapons that can cause intimidation,
injury and death.
What if I don't come to court after I
receive a summons?
Attending court after you receive a
summons to do so is required by law and your failure to
appear will result in your arrest and detention and possible
remand in the prison until the next court date. A summons is a
formal command in the Queen's name to appear before a judge in
court. Do not take a summons lightly. Even if you are given a
witness summons you cannot disregard it.
Any Questions..email
us
biminipolice@yahoo.com
(just click the above
link)
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