Acting Police Commissioner David George underwent a trial by fire of sorts Tuesday night in West Bay as he fielded numerous questions from residents who wanted to know just what is happening within the police service.
Acting Police Commissioner David George (right) speaks with residents at Tuesday nights meeting. |
Mr. George, a veteran of the UK Metropolitan police, refused to answer queries about the governor’s recent removal of three top police commanders.
He did pledge to the 50 meeting attendees that officers would make efforts to respond more quickly and thoroughly to let residents know their calls for service are being answered, especially in drug-related investigations.
He also defended Police Commissioner Stuart Kernohan from a barrage of criticism levelled against him, mainly by members of the West Bay Alliance group.
‘I think it would be totally wrong to denigrate him for what he’s done…because the police service I’ve taken over is a very modern police service and they’ve made a significant reduction in some crime,’ Mr. George said.
Residents criticised the RCIPS for its purchase of a $1.8 million helicopter which has still not arrived on island, and what several speakers at the meeting said were misplaced policing priorities.
‘We’ve had (more than) 2,000 traffic stops, but 11 drug raids,’ said resident George Smith, loosely quoting figures presented at the meeting by West Bay police station commander Angelique Howell. ‘Let’s get real.’
Mr. George said RCIPS stats showed an overall decrease in violent crime since 2005. Mr. Kernohan took over the service in November of that year.
‘It would be remiss for me not to mention some of the achievements that have been made over the past few years,’ Mr. George said. ‘It’s a great accomplishment.’
One speaker at the meeting, which was held at John Cumber Primary School, pestered the acting commissioner about the fate of the three police commanders who were temporarily removed from duty on 27 March.
Mr. George said Mr. Kernohan, Deputy Commissioner Rudi Dixon and Chief Superintendent John Jones were on required leave while an enquiry led by another UK investigator, Chief Superintendent Martin Bridger, takes place. He reiterated that the three were not considered to be under investigation at this time.
He declined to answer any further questions about the matter.
‘To pursue that, we’ll just end up in a cul-de-sac where we’re all looking around glumly,’ Mr. George said.
One speaker congratulated the acting commissioner on his performance so far, which at the time the meeting was held, had been less than a week.
‘It has only been four or five days,’ he said, ‘judge me in a few months time.’
West Bay resident Loxley Banks later observed to those in attendance that Mr. George sounded as though he planned to be with the RCIPS for some time.
The acting commissioner did not respond to that statement.
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