Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

The Bahamas, January 10, 2025 – On Sunday January 5, the Royal Bahamas Police Force kept with tradition and gathered for its year opening church service; this time at Life Changers Ministries International and this time with a new Commissioner of Police, Shanta Knowles, who was just days before, officially sworn in as the first woman to head the Force.

“Jesus teaches us that law enforcement officers must confront crime, must confront corruption and injustice with courage.  You see, Jesus was a lamb but he also was a lion.  Like Jesus, who was a law enforcement officer for Heaven, you must know when to be a lamb and know when to be a lion,” preached Valentino Williams, Bishop and Pastor of Life Changers Ministries.

Adding that this is no time for “the lamb in this nation.  This is time for the lions to get up and start roaring” in a valiant push back against the escalation in violence.

In a service of refreshing and renewal, the Royal Bahamas Police and Government dignitaries gathered for prayers of blessing and a symbolic gesture of surrender and dependence upon God as they embark upon a brand new year.  It is a posture which is valued in The Bahamas as a Christian nation.

“Jesus overturned the tables, because God’s reputation was at stake.  You and I, we should recognize that we should emulate Jesus’ example and confront crime and corruption and injustice with courage because our nation is at stake.”

The church service followed another key event for the Police Force which was held on Friday January 3, when outgoing police commissioner Clayton Fernander handed the reins of leadership over to Eleuthera native, Shanta Knowles.

“I’m equally honoured and especially proud to handover my duties, responsibilities and authority of the commissionership, on this historic occasion to my successor, the first female commissioner of police Ms. Shanta Emily Knowles,” said Fernander to robust applause and cheering from the crowd attending the ceremony.

“I am exceedingly confident that I am leaving the Force and its entire legacy in capable hands.  As I welcome Commissioner Knowles to a new mantle of leadership, I would like to encourage all ranks, civilian staff and especially the general public to extend to her the same courtesy, respect, and support that you gave to me as she navigates the Force into higher heights of policing.”

Sixty years after women first joined the ranks as members of the Royal Bahamas Police, Knowles was promoted from top cop, stationed in Grand Bahama.  Mr. Fernander pointed to the new commissioner’s other ceiling shattering accomplishments.

“Ms Knowles has many firsts in her career.  She was the first female commander of the Criminal Investigation Department, first female assistant Commissioner of the Northern Bahamas and now the first female commissioner of police. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization.”

Shanta Knowles joined the police in October 1990, a stellar 35-year career in law enforcement.  Her latest appointment followed a brutal year reputationally for the organization.

“I thank you honorable Prime Minister and the Government of The Bahamas for the trust you have reposed in me to navigate this organization into a new era of policing.  I pledge to restore the image of the Force through positive change, while enforcing the rule of law, a Force that is respected here and around the world, that engenders public trust,” said Knowles in her acceptance speech.

One-hundred and nineteen murders were too much for The Bahamian public in 2024, the high level of crime coupled with terminations, resignations and arrests among police officers means she has to rebuild the brand and the trust.

PM Philip Davis announced Knowles’ appointment in December, he reflected on the service of outgoing Commissioner Clayton Fernander and doubled down on the points that accountability is non-negotiable and the Force is more good than bad.

“I know that the actions of a few have cast a shadow over the entire Force but I also know that the Royal Bahamas Police is filled with good, hardworking men and women who are dedicated to protecting and serving this nation.  I know that.  So we cannot allow the misdeeds of some to over shadow the integrity of the many who risk their lives everyday for the safety of our communities.

This moment is about resetting the standard. It is about making it clear that no one is above the law.  Not even those tasked with upholding it.  It is about ensuring that every officer, from the newest recruit to the senior leader understands the weight of the uniform they wear and the responsibilities it carries.

The path forward begins now.”

At the Handing Over Ceremony which took place in the Rose Garden of the Royal Bahamas Police Force headquarters on East Street in Nassau, the Prime Minister said “the tree” will be shaken until there is no “bad fruit” left.

“Our commitment to rooting out corruption is not just about cleaning house, it is about safeguarding the honour of this institution and restoring the trust of the Bahamian people.  The People of this country deserve a police force they can respect.”

It now also stands as a beacon of opportunity for women who want to serve in law enforcement.

From the new Police Commissioner, “To the current female leaders within the Force, I say to you dig deeper, work harder and go the extra mile because the impossible is now possible.”