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by Hartley C. Reid SMH
As a very proud former member of the Royal Barbados Police Force, now the Barbados Police Service, and also a former President of the Barbados Police Association, I feel compelled to speak on a very troubling issue. I believe itis my duty to air this significant grievance at this time.
Let me state from the outset that I have not been given any brief by anyone, neither has anyone asked me to speak on his or her behalf.
I speak here out of an overwhelming sense that police officers are human beings and must be treated fairly and with respect, not only by the general public but by the persons with whom they work. As an agency vested with upholding law and order, the treatment meted out to members should also hold fast to those principles.
Police officers are restricted from airing their grievances publicly by certain built-in conditions and restrictions associated with their employment. It is under such circumstances that police officers can be victimised…yes…victimised and this can be kept hidden from the general public’s knowledge.
One of my former colleagues and dear friend Station Sergeant Nola Murphy nee Sobers has been overlooked for promotion for almost two decades and in fact is the most senior in this rank.
The reasons for this omission are as illusionary as the Loch Ness Monster. She is a hand writing expert whose services have been employed regionally but, as occurred with others in my beloved organisation, has been ignored for promotion.
Station Sergeant Murphy was recently invited to be assessed for promotion to the rank of Inspector by a panel consisting of assistant commissioner of police (ag) Antonio Forte, senior superintendent John Boyce and RETIRED assistant commissioner Leila Strickland.
Serving members of the force carry out these assessments and the presence of the retired officer as an assessor is unprecedented.
It is also rather peculiar that a retired officer against whom Station Sergeant Murphy had registered complaints before the then Police Services Commission when she was in service has been placed on a panel of assessors.
I call on the hierarchy of the police force for an explanation to this, whether it is done publicly or privately to Station Sergeant Murphy.
As a senior member of the police force she needs to be told why she is being subjected to such treatment without explained or highlighted cause. After over 35 years in the service of Barbados and the wider Caribbean, her upward mobility should not be shrouded in questionable actions and procedures by anyone.
No person should have to be “one of the boys” to garner favour for progress in any institution. She has no disciplinary matter hanging over head, her character is impeccable, she has been in positions of responsibility in the organisation, she is an intelligent, qualified woman, why has opportunities for upward mobility been denied her?
As someone who has been involved in labour rights issues as a president of the Police Association, it would be remiss of me not to speak to this issue, even if Station Sergeant Murphy has not asked me to but certainly, other senior members of the organisation have.
I have all confidence in the newly-appointed Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce that he will give this matter his urgent attention. Police officers, too, deserve justice.
Hartley C. Reid is former President of the Barbados Police Association.
