Bahamas News
Bahamas First Woman Police Commissioner takes over; Preacher calls for police to ‘overturn tables of crime, corruption and injustice’
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.”
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
