Minister for National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore has described a statement made by the Police Welfare Association (PWA) earlier this month as a “blatant” and “disrespectful” attack on the Chief of Police.
The statement which was issued on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, stemmed from an incident that occurred at the St. Joseph Police Station earlier this month where nine firearms were allegedly stolen.
While the statement strongly condemns the recent and unfortunate burglary that occurred at the St. Joseph Police Station and the theft of firearms therefrom, the PWA also raised concerns as it relates to the manpower shortage that presently exists in the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF).
The PWA also strongly condemned what it cites as the unfortunate failure of the Chief of Police, immediately following the burglary at the said police station, to treat certain subordinate police officers politely, respectfully, and professionally.
“The Chief of Police by his actions abused his position as the highest-ranking officer in the CDPF by physically attacking his subordinate officer,” the statement said. “The Police Welfare Association is of the opinion that this recent and unfortunate action by the Chief of Police can only further deteriorate the morals of Police officers and by extension the trust of the public in the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force.”
Furthermore, the PWA said through its statement that it has over the past six years repeatedly appealed to the Police Command to address the existing manpower shortage at the out-district police stations since such shortage would negatively impact the proficiency and productivity of the CDPF.
However, in his response to the statement issued by the PWA, Blackmoore said this incident had nothing to do with the lack of manpower.
Blackmoore believes that the association must operate within the parent law and regulations governing the police force.
He said such a vicious attack on the Office of Commissioner of Police is not what the police force is all about and this does not speak to what the majority of police officers stand for.
“On Wednesday the 13th day of December 2023, the Police Welfare Association issued a press statement which is being circulated in the public domain. This press statement, having read it, is a blatant and disrespectful attack on the Chief of Police,” he argued. “Nowhere in this press statement is a call being made for police officers to assist and cooperate in their investigation for the express purpose of apprehending the perpetrators and recovering government guns.”
Blackmoore continued, “Solving this case ought to be a priority for the police force. Therefore, there ought to be unity and a concerted effort for the purpose of solving this crime and ensuring that such a matter does not repeat itself.”
He believes that this type of behaviour cannot be allowed to continue in the police force.
“It’s either you want to be a police officer or you do not want to be a police officer. It cannot work both ways,” he remarked.
He added, “This, ladies and gentlemen, is outside the scope of what the association is meant to be.”
For edification purposes, Blackmoore referred to the laws and rules governing the operations of the PWA.
“In that regard, I want to refer to section 33:1 of chapter 14:01 of the Dominica laws, which is referred to as the Police Act,” he noted. “Section 33:1 creates the legal facility that establishes the Police Welfare Association and it states, for the purpose of enabling subordinate officers and constables of the police force to consider and to bring to the notice of the commissioner and the minister, all the matters affecting the general welfare and efficiency.”
He went on to explain that Section 33:2 clearly states that the association shall be entirely independent of and unassociated with any other body outside of the police force.
“In keeping with section 33 of the said Act regulations were issued to govern the operation of the Police Welfare Association…,” Blackmoore stated.
Blackmoore said it is clear that the PWA by issuing this press statement went outside of what the association is meant to be.
“Anyone, therefore, who advises the Police Welfare Association to issue this press release is doing a disservice, not only to the police force, but to the country and that can only undermine the security of this beautiful country,” Blackmoore noted.
He argued that the press statement did not solve this very serious matter at the St. Joseph Police Station.
“As Minister and as a Dominican I want answers, the public wants answers and the police force must unite to solve this national embarrassment,” Blackmoore remarked.
Meanwhile, Blackmoore revealed that independent investigators are currently on island to assist in the investigations of this matter.
“You may recall that reference was made to bringing in independent investigators to investigate this matter. This is something that we cannot allow to repeat,” he said. “In this regard, independent investigators arrived on the island being led by a former Commissioner of Police… They have all taken their oath to assist in the investigations of this matter and to get to the bottom of this matter.”
Blackmoore added, “I will continue as a minister and even as a private citizen to support the police, to support members of the Police Welfare Association, but I will not support disrespect to the Chief of Police or any attempt to undermine the security of the state.”
Note: A full copy of the press statement is attached below
“The PWA also strongly condemned what it cites as the unfortunate failure of the Chief of Police, immediately following the burglary at the said police station, to treat certain subordinate police officers politely, respectfully, and professionally.”
Them man mad man? Still want the man to coddle all you? The chief was 1000% correct. AT NO TIME SHOULD A POLICE STATION EVER BE UNMANNED!!!!
Now, i dont know if that statement constitutes as a “viscious attack”. we like the hype things up and sensationalize for cause and effect, but is was stupid. The some accountability MUST be taken by the police. As the chief, he must say something to them. They acting like that is nothing.
Very good statement by the PWA. It’s time that those members of the police force, that are not entangled in Skerrits corrupt network, to stand up and tell the public what really goes on behind the scenes in the Police Force.
Blackmoore my brother, when you and the rest of the DLP dysfunctional cabal sowed seeds of “incompetence” and “discord” what did you expect to reap? I’ll tell you dummy “square pegs in round holes” stop using the PWA as your scapegoat; should have stopped the carnage years ago, by promoting efficiency and dedication.
This crop of police officers was trained by Claude Weeks.a bunch of political slackers.When it comes to policing Claude Weeks is a baby.In the past police officers were not vocal when it comes to politics.Crime fighting was first.Today the junior ranks of the police force are openly criticizing the government
and supporting the opposition and openly disrespecting authority.Even special constables who are not trained police officers are involved in that level of disrespect.The ranking officers allow that kind of BS to happen and to continue.
Ha haaaaaaa you are really the acolyte of “Starboy” is you DLP who caused the lack of discipline in the CDPF when you allowed Clevill Mills, the only police officer in the entire Caribbean to host a talk show on radio openly criticizing another political party, fire burn all u.
@Lin clown you sound like a dictator with such a one sided comment. Mr Weekes is one of the most highly respected police officers in the Dominica Police Force so your attack against him will go nowhere.
You also need to have respect for the police officers and or special constables political position because, based on your comment if they were all supporting the government openly, it seems you would have no problem with that (we live in a democratic country in case you forgot).
Everything in Dominica is all about politics which is a precedent set by the same government you referring to but I want to attack the other side.
“Shortage of police in force” that’s true because half of them stay guarding one man. 1/4 guard his residence and office. 1/8 of them follow him around and Dominica only have 60,000 people at the moment. Most of the police officers are unable to count, spell, read or write legibly.
Blackmoore is correct, the PWA is NOT a union but an organised group of regular Police Officers, who are subject to the rules administered by the Police Service Commission. Those public statements by the PWA were an affront to their superiors.
Yet, Blackmoore et al are responsible for this audacity by those Officers because over the years they have engaged the PWA as if it were a union, a legal entity onto itself. In so doing, they have empowered the Association and made it the beast it is today. When will they reign in those Officers?
Section 33:1 “creates the legal facility that establishes the PWA”..so how can they not be a “legal entity..”?
Section 33:2 “states that the PWA shall be entirely independent of and unassociated with any other body outside of the police force”..hence negating the need for any other representation since they are the de-facto “union” of the police force.
I do believe, however, that if they have actual proof that the Top Cop physically assaulted one of his subordinates then they should lodge a formal complaint and take it from there because this is a very serious allegation..one which, if true, would certainly necessitate his dismissal from his current position.
“Section 33:1 “creates the legal facility that establishes the PWA”..so how can they not be a “legal entity..”?” Sure, a legal entity registered as the PWA but NOT as a union.
And, disassociation from bodies outside of the Force does not logically translate into the status of “union” in the same meaning attributed to that term with regards to other unionised employees. That disassociation, by the way, is deliberate is to ensure that the PWA remains a neutral “unpolluted” voice that works with the Police Administration not as a watchdog/critic or adversary. This PWA has been allowed to outgrow its shoes.
Mr.Blackmore this is embarrassing to say the least that the police cannot secure itself
what is up with this. our security cannot secure us Jokers.
Too much is going on in the land of ours. we have a national security issue or this is not priority
no defending anyone here. The head of the police is the one to take the blame not matter what th head of the police station and the commissioner.
Loss of confidence in these people or the inspector responsible for this are.
they should be fired not transferred this is too bad – stealing from the police station.
our national security minister should be asked to resign. national security is the inisters.concern and everything should be looked at through these lenses. an intense scrutiny of our domestic security issues to secure us not only build cells to put our citizens.
When we take all sorts just because their pal rep sends them, what do we expect in the police force? Plenty of them does not even know how to spell much less to write a proper report. That is truly not the police force I knew 25 years ago. Mr. Blackmoore please rewind the tap. Too much red, green and blue has taken over the force. Poor Dominique.
Can somebody find out why mista always looking wiff hey eyes open like he frighten of something or he fraid like he looking at a Jumbee???
Blackmore, Skerrit, Daniel Carbon and his police force are nothing but a gangster and their war of words confirms why Dominica is a gangster country today, under a gangster administration . In a real country most of them, if not all of them would be serving time for gangster related offenses but Skerrit told us Dominica is not a real country. He is right because he, Roosevelt Skerrit , has turned Dominica into a gangster country. No wonder international criminals that want to run from justice and those that want to commit crime run to Dominica, where they know has a gangster leadership
Blackmore needs to shut his bocal cavity! The PWA is a Union representing the interest of its members who happens to be police officers. They are well aware of the fact that they are police officers first because without that they cant be members.
However, without their well being addressed there is no way they can operate as police officers and perform the said duties effectively. You see, he spoke of everything else EXCEPT of the assault on the young cop by the SENIOR Officer during the investigation. That officer should have been sent on leave forthwith to enable an investigation just like Pelham was sent on leave when falsely accused of assaulting a customs officer when the videos exonerated him. Fair is fair.
The CDPF needs new blood in the ranks of Superintendent and up….remove them all. They have failed the force and state by extension. I say bring back Weekes for Commissioner and Pelham for Deputy……Period! This force is too darn corrupt!
why is this man even allow to run his mouth? This minister has numerous criminal allegations made against him that need urgent investigation. Dominica cannot be real.
why is blackmore talking he should not be there and still have that job because they put Lavelle in his place the pm say he put ten ministers out and take ten and still take blackmore back so mahunt have two representatives not fair where is the money to pay 30 members in the house that is what we have to talk about corrupt Government
I the Clown have never supported Blackmore as Minister of national security both he and the commissioner of police are aholes.But,Blackmore is right,the theft of guns at the St.Joseph police station have nothing to do with man power.The St.Joseph people can say in the 80’s there were a group of police offices headed by Insp Joshua Shadow James and Gabriel Butcher St.Jean,there were less police officers but the St.Joseph police with no automatic weapons operated as far as Portsmouth and Bathestate.During major operations the St.Joseph police would call for automatic firepower from the SSU.I am asking the PWA if there is a lack of manpower why the F××× you have three(3) M16’sA1(5.56 cal)three (3)7.5’s(7.62cal.)two(2)9mm pistols and one(1)12,20,or 16 guage shotgun in a station with nobody?That is F×××××× slackness.Anybody who allow those automatic high-powered rifles to be at the St.Joseph police station should be dismissed.The PWA should be disbanded,politics is a part of that BS…