A recent local newspaper editorial opined the following with regard to the on-going investigation of alleged misconduct at the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service:
‘Mr. (Martin) Bridger and his team were roundly criticised by Judge (Sir Peter) Cresswell, but little or no opportunity seems to have been given for any of these serious criticisms to be rebutted in any way.’
Despite the gravity of this situation for those involved in this investigation, and the Cayman Islands’ reputation and stability in general, this part really made us laugh.
The judgment referred to stated Mr. Bridger’s investigative team improperly and illegally obtained warrants to search the home and office of a Grand Court judge.
Mr. Bridger’s team had an opportunity to appeal this ruling, it did not.
Mr. Bridger’s team, as well as Governor Stuart Jack who presumably has ultimate responsibility for it, has been given multiple opportunities to comment on multiple issues regarding this case since Justice Cresswell’s ruling became public. They have not.
For the avoidance of doubt, we will print in their entirety questions the Caymanian Compass recently submitted to representatives for the investigative operation, the Governor’s office, and the RCIPS; questions that as of this writing, have been completely and utterly ignored.
What is the reaction of the UK Met investigators to a) Sir Peter Cresswell’s judgment, b) the decision not to investigate Justice Henderson further, c) Mr. Henderson’s comment that the investigation has been ‘abusive and improper’?
What is the reaction of the Governor to those three issues?
Please list as specifically as is possible the exact costs related to Mr. Martin Bridger, all of the officers in his police team, Mr. Martin Polaine and any attorneys who worked on this case under his employ. These can include, but should not be limited to; room, meals, office rent, salary, incidentals, travel for officers, travel for family members, local transportation costs of special witnesses/experts.
List the names of the persons on the special committee reviewing funding requests for the police operation. This committee was discussed in Legislative Assembly and was said to be led by DCS Donovan Ebanks. Who is overseeing this committee?
The attorney general’s office is said to have completed a preliminary estimate of exposure to liability from this investigation. What is the potential damages figure compiled by that preliminary estimate?
Who is in charge of overseeing Mr. Bridger’s team? The Governor? The FCO? The UK Met Police? The RCIPS Commissioner? Three of the four have issued statements on the team’s behalf in the past. The Police Law states the commissioner of police supervises special constables. Mr. Bridger has said he works for the Governor.
How many officers on Mr. Bridger’s team are still employed by the UK Metropolitan Police? How many are on as consultants?
Are any of these officers, Mr. Polaine or his assistants, required to obtain work permits or government contracts? If not, why not?
Is Mr. Polaine authorised to practice law in the Cayman Islands?
Has the RCIPS ever initiated an investigation into letters sent to the Cayman Net News in July-August 2007 that were thought to be ‘scandalising the court’ by Justice Henderson? If so, what was the outcome of that review? If not, why was the matter not pursued?
Does RCIPS/special constables team have any legal power to force Stuart Kernohan or John Evans to return to the Cayman Islands if either man refuses to do so? If Mr. Kernohan refuses to consent to interview, can he be arrested in the UK?
Why is Rudolph Dixon receiving full pay instead of half pay as is customary with officers who are charged with crimes?
Here is a golden opportunity for anyone who wishes to respond to these questions to do so.
If we receive no response, as we suspect we will not, then there can be no more grousing about ‘little or no opportunity’ to rebut.
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