COMMENTARY: Carbon maybe part of the problem but certainly not the solution

Carbon
Carbon

Many view Chief Daniel Carbon of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force as the unelected MP of Dominica’s shadow 22nd

Political constituency- Police Headquarters in Roseau.It is also alleged that Mr. Carbon leaped frog over other more qualified officers to the position.  As a result, he may be handcuffed and handicapped by the political directorate meddling in the force’s day to day operations.

It is widely accepted that a privileged group of the force is overly partisan. Others believe that is has become the military wing of the ruling Dominica Labour Party similar to the disbanded Dominica Defense Force was a few decades ago.

Today when the force needsa decisive and independent commander, Carbon is best regardedas atitular head-who does not have real power andwho has lost the respect and support of his force and country. Interestingly and sadly, it appears that he has lost the support of his boss the Justice Minister, but (for now) has the seeming unequivocal support of PM Skerrit.

Some say that Carbon has himself to blame for his predicament while others contend that it was impossible for the chief to be his  own man  once he was hand-picked by Skerrit.Mr. Carbon may have come to the job with good intentions. In July 2012 he said there is a need for proper vetting of police recruits and existing police officers and supported the introduction of lie detector tests for the police. Whether these were implemented is anyone’s guess. He also said that officers should try to live within their financial means and hewould be harsh on officers who engage and tolerate in illegal activities.

Mr. Carbon, who is from the same village as Skerrit was appointed chief in 2012 after Acting for a short time.According to the UWP Opposition, that appointment of Chief was made with disregard for the Constitution. Just hours before Skerrit officially announced Carbon as Chief, he sent a letter to the Leader of the Opposition announcing the appointment.

Article 92 of the Constitution of Dominica clearly states: The power to appoint a person to hold or act in the office of Chief of Police or Deputy Chief of Police and, subject to the provisions of section 93 of this Constitution, the power to remove the Chief of Police or Deputy Chief of Police from office shall vest in the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, given after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and the Police Service Commission.

There are few examples to illustrate the manner and degree to which. Carbon maybe compromised.During the Salisbury (a UWP stronghold) farmers upraising in May 2015, critical command and control were lacking.Carbon deployed a contingent of heavily armed officers in riot gear carrying loaded M-16 rifles and other military assets. It was widely reported that the police used expired tear gas on the unarmed protestors and fired live rounds into some homes.

Earlier this year Skerrit instructed a huge crowd at a Labour party meeting in St. Joseph which was broadcast live on radio, to call the United Workers Party (UWP) leadership traitors. There was no word from the chief regarding this act of provocation by the PM.

Does the Chief know that according to international law, an act of provocation is treated as the act itself? Is he aware that the Rwandan genocide was fueled by inflammatory radio language by unscrupulous politicians in a depressed economy and charged political atmosphere like Dominica?”

Also when Carbon became chief he said that he would find the perpetrators who fired bombed Mr. G.O.N Emanuel’s house which almost killed theelderly former magistrate and lawyer and his wife. Despite a mountain of evidence, the case is still unresolved and no one has been held responsible or convicted.Interestingly, when contacted about his law firm’s name being listed on the Panama Papers, Mr. Emanuel said that he has never done business in Panama and it could be linked to a former associate.

In June Mr. Carbon hastilyarranged a news conference where he raised concerns over statements that were made by callers of radio talk shows. He said, “Police have a mandate to upholdlaw and order and Dominica will not experience the errors of 1979 and the early 1980’s.”That tumultuous period lead to the removal of PM Patrick John from office.  The Chief did not name the specific threat if any threats were made and the number of callers who made them.

In March of 2015, five officers were charged with murder eight months after the body of a prisoner was found in a cell at the police station in the northern town of Portsmouth. In July, Mr. Wayne James, a business man and a former police officer had his gun taken away by Chief Carbon.James is the brother of former Prime Minister Edison James of the UWP and a current member of the Electoral Commission who was nominated by the UWP Opposition. Two days after the police took the man’s gun, his home was burglarized.James saidhe believes the Chief acted with malice and exceeded his jurisdiction under section 13 of the Firearms Act No. 3 of 2011 and now he cannot protect his business and family.He has since filed a suit against the chief.

The UWP called planned and at the last minute called offa peaceful demonstration at the Douglas-Charles Airport a week before the December 8, 2014 general election because anumber of overseas voters would be travelling to Dominica on chartered aircrafts to cast their ballots. The reasons were thatan audio recording obtained by localmedia surfacedwhere chiefCarbon was heard telling police officers,“The police force is the only institution of the state that is entitled to use deadly force justifiably.”UWP leader Lennox Linton was concerned thattherewouldbe loss of life.

There had been rumors that diesel will be placed on the airport runway to prevent aircraft with overseas voters from landing safely at the airport. The police did not publicly say whether these rumors were true.

The UWP has always contended that the Dominica Labour Party is involved in bribing Dominicans overseas by bringing them into the island to vote.Linton filed a report with chief Carbon asking for an investigation into allegations that Dominica’s Election Act, Sections 55, Section 56, 57 were being violated.  No investigations were conducted, the planes landed, diaspora Dominicans voted and left the next day and Skerrit’s party won comfortably.

The OAS and other organizations have raised concerns about electoral reform and past election irregularities in voting.Was Carbon just doing his job for allowing the Diaspora charter flights to land or allegedly was he doing Skerrit’s bidding? The opinion of some is either he does not understand nor has an appreciation the intersection of public policy, the law and police protocol.

This came to a head last week when the Justice Minister, a former policeman, said on talk radiothat the government of Dominica is not ruling out bringing in a foreign national to head the Police Force as it is not satisfied with operations in that department.

A few days later, Skerrit went on radio and expressed absolute support for Mr. Carbon, He said, ‘The public can rest assured that as the Prime Minister who appoints and who disappoints the Chief, he has great confidence in the Chief of Police, and we will continue to provide him with the resources which he requests.” Please Mr. PM read Article 92 of the Constitution. Did thePM throw the Minister under the bus?Maybe the Justice Minister implicitly made the point that Carbon is maybe over his head and he needs to go.

Many believe that Carbon’s departure would lead to a more professional force and make Dominicans feel more secure. It will alsosave Daniel Carbon from himself.

(http://www.cbc.bb/index.php/ar/news/caribbean-news/item/182-oas-says-dominica-elections-free-and-fair-but-has-concerns)

(http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/headline-Dominica-in-crisis—An-open-letter-to-the-OAS,-OECS-and-CARICOM-30540.html)

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27 Comments

  1. UDOHREADYET
    August 29, 2016

    The people that cause the issues are well aware of the issues.
    Telling a man he is or isn’t doing something that he is very much aware of isn’t going to solve your issue.
    The person would not be doing what they’re doing if they didn’t think they could get away with it.

    You have to be just as diligent in doing right, if not more so than the wrong doer and you will certainly surpass them.

    Blaming, condemning, accusing and pointing fingers, though it may seem as the easiest way to feel good about yourself, doesn’t actually solve anything.

    light will always outshine darkness!

  2. The truth
    August 29, 2016

    Both have to leave none is better than the other skerrit and carbon that’s the truth and we all know it

  3. Possie (60 plus wasted years of Labour )
    August 29, 2016

    There are female officers capable of running the force. Is it time we put them to run it. This men are a bunch of jokers. We need some of the females way at the top and things will be much different.

  4. ” The Constitution of Dominica clearly states: The power to appoint a person to hold or act in the office of Chief of Police or Deputy Chief of Police and, subject to the provisions of section 93 of this Constitution, the power to remove the Chief of Police or Deputy Chief of Police from office shall vest in the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, given after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and the Police Service Commission.” (Emanuel Finn).

    In view of the above, it would be interested to hear from the opposition, as to wether they were consulted when the decision was made to appoint Carbon Chief of Police. On the other hand whereas Savarin is a puppet of Skerrit, he will gladly sign his name to appoint anyone who is involved into partisan politics the dictator Skerrit chose to fill the position…………

  5. Me
    August 28, 2016

    That police commissioner was promoted to his post based on the Peter Principle, as are many other figures in the Skerrit hierarchy.

  6. Anansi
    August 28, 2016

    As a former police officer, I am highly apalled and dismayed at the depths to which morales and ethics have sunk to in the CDPF. I can recall a most vibrant police service under Commissioners’ Phillips and Pierre, a service though not entirely removed from political favors, but one where meritocracy reigned over nepotism and political partisanship. Because of the heavy extent of politics in the force, the average attitude of the Dominican policeman is one where they treat the job as “8 to 4” career, and they try to get as much buddy (dominoes, drinking) time in as possible. Overtime, increasing trepidation of investigating the “wrong cases” and the inundation of political partisan appointments has caused this. So yes, we do need for Commissioner Carbon to either step down, or implement drastic, fast-acting change within the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force – a change that will boost morale, one which recognizes the meritocratic value of the man and woman behind the…

  7. Shameless
    August 27, 2016

    The bottomline is Carbon has to go and very soon. El Supremo can say what he wants but Blackmoore did not just make such serious pronouncement out of the sky. This was a deliberate effort to force Carbon into self retirement and let the ranks know they should sideline him and come straight to Blacky so his case can be strengthened.

    Carbon, you need to run while you can but knowing you and your stubborn attitude (I am the people’s chief) hell will freeze over before you retire. Shhhhhhhhhh…Blackmore actually wants your job with a new second in command and an outsider as consultant. Yes Carbon, Blacky wants to be Chief but your boy in the state Palace that you constantly report to instead of Blacky has said no because it will lead to chaos and viewed as political mischief.

    Now Carbon, they have the goods on you reference your “play to pay” promotion scheme 8) 8) . Check yourself bro on your females promotion scheme. Run Carby run! :mrgreen:

    Always Assertive! :twisted:

    • %
      August 28, 2016

      He really needs to go…Once politicians are in control of you,you cannot do a proper job!! It clear for all to see!!!

  8. Anthony P. Ismael
    August 27, 2016

    I always wonder if Dominica will have the courage to change the current uniform and implement something that represents us, instead of maintaining old relics of the British Empire? We’re in the tropics with unbreathable cloth. They must be hot and bothered in this heavy cloth.

  9. August 27, 2016

    Daniel Carbon is walking on a tight rope and he cannot balance himself .

  10. River Street
    August 27, 2016

    Finn is thinning for attention. With a Dr. before the name a real doctor is needed in the house; where is the substance of this article. Alas , substantiate the cross winds with some balance. Are we not deserving of factual evidence?

    • Radio Kord Kapi
      August 29, 2016

      But Se0kerrit, who has an honourary doctorate is a true Dr. in the nouse, cause blind people like you hang on and believe every word he says because, oh, i got it, he is a true Dr….who earned his doctorate after years od studying like normal doctors.

  11. August 27, 2016

    Total garbage!! This might make sense only to the chronic antigovernt supporters. Is the writer implying that the commissioner, must now align his functons to suit the dictates of the opposition?

    • jonathan st jean
      August 27, 2016

      Mr Blackmore is not opposition.He is the Labourite who is minister of National Security.He said he was considering bringing in someone from outside the country to be the next chief because he had lost faith in Carbon

    • %
      August 27, 2016

      Garbage my foot..It has pierced an arrow into your RED heart???
      Brilliant commentary!!!!….Skerrit also said he knew who set fire to the communication center at Melvillehall???Carbon did nothing…Astaphan leaked out Skerrits confidential IPO information,and blamed it on HONOURABLE Linton…Carbon did nothing!…Like ALL other institutions on island,the police force is badly broken,largely because of bad leadership and political interferance!ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT COMMENTARY!!!

  12. Tj
    August 27, 2016

    It is time to make a change at the head of DA police force

  13. Hamil
    August 27, 2016

    Plain and simple. This man is not educated enough to hold this position. Secondly he has no balls.

  14. jonathan st jean
    August 27, 2016

    Yes Chief Carbon is a part of the problem of inefficiency facing the Dominican police force.There are so many unsolved crimes in the country,to also included the break-in at the registry,the leaking of the testimony of the molested young girl recently,police officers charged with a crime of manslaughter not showing up for court and on an on.The fact that the chief is a square peg in a round hole,who is more interested in doing the bidding of the political directorate to curry favour and keep his job rather than enforce the laws of the country,means he is ineffective and as such has to be replaced.Some serious cases that his police bring to court fall apart,eg the drug related case in Portsmouth.We have lost faith in the police and the chief whilst Skerritt has increased confidence in him.It’s a crying shame and this must end

  15. real possie
    August 27, 2016

    Reading part of this, anyone with an open mind has to stop read this long biased writing. No matter where you go in this world anytime you have the right to appoint someone, you will always appoint someone who you can work with and not butt heads all the time, that would be unproductive. To me no matter who you take in the ranks it would be the same old. We need to get away from this old policing ways, we Dominicans are set in our ways and hate change. I don’t understand how you can’t order your men to get out of building and walk the street, when someone has a issue they sometimes don’t even come to investigate, if i had to head that office they would shape up, or get out. You can’t take an oath and when duty calls you follow party lines, if we the people would make it known that way of thinking is wrong things would be better. We the people have to take some blame in this too.

    • Radio Kord Kapi
      August 29, 2016

      That why the constution needs to change and allow the population to choose the DDP, Police and fire chiefs, Attorney General, the registrar, etc….that would prevent PM’s from choosing people with Political leaning, where they job and ethics would undoubted be cpmpromised.

  16. winston warrington
    August 27, 2016

    Assuming all those allegations are true, what have you lazy UWP supporters done to show the public the names of the illegal voters and the flight manifesto of the aircrafts that transported voters to Dominica? Show us how many people. The number of people who voted at the last election is the same as the previous. How do you account for that?
    One more thing, why is G O N Emanuel not implicated in the mentioned allegations when his name is prominently featured in the Panama Papers?

    • Anansi
      August 28, 2016

      Because Winston, it is widely known that GON E. was opposed to such behaviour, and that his former accomplice accepted and promoted such unethical, questionable conduct.

    • Willie
      August 28, 2016

      We would get the answers if his case against his former associate could see
      The light of day!
      And by the way, what is a “”flight manifesto”?

  17. Calibishi Warrior
    August 27, 2016

    There are times when I read some strange commentaries on DNO… but this one takes the cake, the loaf … the whole bakery. In the first instance, the job of the Police Commissioner and the Police Force (I believe calling it the Police Service would be an improvement btw) is to reduce crime. The is absolutely no quantitative evidence given in the article as to whether Carbon has been effective or not in this regard. This renders the whole piece worthless. But then to further degrade things the article makes reference to the writers interpretation of police reaction to political activities as evidence of non-performance. Not only is Finn’s analysis of events highly questionable he knows full well that his personal analysis is clearly not corroborated evidence…. Then there is the famous Trump phrase ” Many people have said….” Surely with a Dr. next to your name , you can do better … D+ for effort … see me after class

    • Anonymous
      August 27, 2016

      OMG! I needed a good laugh – thanks!

    • Views expressed
      August 27, 2016

      Well said Dr. Finn, I honour with Determination, quality Differing views and well put together piece. We understand the poor failure “D” rated of the this corrupt Labour Party

    • Dominican
      August 29, 2016

      But isn’t that the MO of UWP? They even get annoyed when you ask for evidence. Finn may have written good pieces in the past I am not sure but this is garbage. Its just a regurgitation of Q95 regular programming, please don’t call it analysis.

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