Corruption investigations to be completed by December 31 | News

CPolice Commissioner Clayton Fernander has assured that an investigation into audio recordings alleging corruption within the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will be completed before the end of this year.

“[An] “An investigation is like a puzzle,” Fernander said recently during an appearance on the CNS television show “The Rundown” with Clint Watson.

“As you move, you put a piece here and a piece there, and at the end of the day you have a perfect photo and they're getting closer to that point.”

He added: “I don't want to give a timetable, but I am sure we will be able to do it shortly… We will not go any further than the end of this year.”

Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, the officer in charge of criminal investigations, was placed on leave in July after the explosive audio recordings were leaked on social media.

The recordings are said to have been conversations between a high-ranking police officer and a now deceased gang member wanted by the police.

One of the conversations described in detail how the wanted man attempted to negotiate the circumstances of his self-assertion to the police and the costs of his release from custody.

The conversation reportedly concerned charges related to a robbery at a private airport on New Providence last November.

The wanted man in the footage was identified by his father as Michael Fox Jr. Fox was murdered in May.

Two other men allegedly involved in the robbery were also killed this year – Oral Roberts was shot and killed in Fox Hill in July and Dino Smith was murdered in January.

The leaked footage led to calls for an independent investigation into the allegations.

Fernander had previously stated that investigators from the British National Crime Agency (NCA) were assisting in the crime.

He said the FBI was also involved.

“I know a lot of people say the police can't investigate the police, but we have a unit that focuses on investigating police officers,” he said recently on the show.

“I'm talking about well-trained officers. The public called for international support for Fairplay, someone from outside, and we agreed to that and I supported that. What we see now is that the investigators are networked and have international partners on board, the UK and the FBI.”

“We want to keep everything under wraps and when the investigation is complete, the public will be fully informed and the necessary information will also be provided.”

“We don't want to manipulate the investigation. We don't research the media. You don't need to know every step we take, but the investigation is progressing very well, several witnesses have already been interviewed and things are moving along quickly.”

Although international investigators were expected to arrive in the Bahamas in August, Fernander said they were not yet in the country but would assist from abroad.

“They are not in the city, but the chief investigators are in contact with these people,” he said on Thursday on the ZNS program.

“The documents have already been sent and the tapes have been evaluated. So you agree with what is going on.”

There were public concerns about the integrity of the police.

Last week, coroner Kara Turnquest-Deveaux issued subpoenas to 13 police officers whom the inquest had accused of manslaughter.

When asked about the impact of these incidents on public trust in the police, Fernander said those responsible would be dealt with.

“This is a professional organization and that is what we have to do to be professional and gain the trust of the Bahamian people and that is what we continue to tell our officials,” he said.

“We continue to train them, but if they become unruly, we deal with them.

“No one is above the law and we have to work within the boundaries of the law. Anyone who violates it will be punished severely. But … if you break the law or do something unethical, you have to take responsibility for it.”

He added: “I think we have lost some of that trust and I am convinced that we can now build on it. There is still a lot of work ahead of us.”

“We cannot allow one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch. We cannot allow one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch because there are many hard-working officials who go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the safety of the Bahamian people.”