Chairman of the Police Welfare Association (PWA) Jefferson Drigo is calling for an investigation into the Police Force for what he called interference by the Police Chief.
Drigo, a corporal of police and stationed in St. Joseph, received news that he was transferred to Delices effective June 15, 2018 after he got involved into complaints made to him as PWA Chairman by a female police officer about a senior police officer.
The PWA executive met with the Minister of National Security Rayburn Blackmore and according to them, the discussion was ‘fruitful”. They refused to give full details of the discussion.
After the meeting with the Minister of National Security the PWA met the press and stated that as police officers, they believe that it is their duty to serve “our communities with integrity”.
“On or about May 10, 2018 a female subordinate police officer came to the station of the Chairman of the Police Welfare Association (PWA) and there she verbally made to the Chairman of the PWA an adverse complaint against a senior in the police service.” Drigo stated.
According to Drigo, he advised the female complaining police officer that the complaint is “one that requires the professional service of at attorney at law.”
On June 2, 2018 by Force Order, the Chairman of the PWA was informed that the Chief of Police had directed his transfer from St. Joseph to Delices Police station.
The Chairman of the PWA said he was “shocked to be so informed and is still puzzled by the development.”
“Our research has revealed, that there is no legitimate and lawful need for the transfer of the Chairman of the PWA and all information tend to indicate, that it’s directly related to his involvement and that of the PWA executive and advise in the adverse complaint made to him,” he said. “In the circumstances, the PWA considers the decision of the Chief of Police as interference of the statutory and constitutional rights of the Chairman and other members of the PWA in seeking to bring to the notice of the Chief of Police and the Minister matters affecting the general welfare and efficiency of Police Officers. The PWA has been advised that if the decision of the Chief of Police to transfer the PWA chairman is to interfere with the lawful activities of the PWA is unfair and arbitrary.”
Drigo added, “The executive of the PWA is now calling for an intervention by way of an official investigation regarding actions adverse to the health, safety, general welfare and efficiency of police officers including adverse complaints, if any, made against senior police officers in the police service as we believe that such actions and complaints if allowed to develop are more likely than not to compromise the principles of integrity and service in the police force. We firmly believe that the relevant authorities including the Minister of National Security and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ought to be concerned about those unfair and arbitrary actions respecting the administration of the police force that not only seeks to compromise the principles of integrity and service in the police force but also create an unsafe and unhealthy work environment.”
It is very sad that every time that the police force reaches that level it is because of hidden agendas. However, if there are complaints that warrants the attention of the authorities. the relevant authorities should take note. Do you all realize that every time there is a no bull**** commissioner. the force splits down the centre. those who want the sitting commissioner out will do and say anything to get a favorite ASP or SP in. and when the favorite choice comes in he does the same thing and more.
Hence, with the advent of all this technological advancement police officers should have proof readily available before making accusations.
An independent firm is needed to investigate this matter, not red labour fearing police officers.Mr.Drigo is a true patriot.country before party.until we wake up and understand what’s really going on in Dominca we will always remain last in everything.Standing alone Drigo is proof of your strength than standing with a bunch of cowards that allows fear of men to destroy their morals,their future and their country.please note that an impoverished nation is a nation with no voice , a nation with no sense of direction and a nation where intelligent citizens brains has been made dormant
So because he is chairman of the PWA he is immune to been transfered? Deleces is part of Dominica. He should just suck it up and do the work he is paid to do.
Read the article properly, sot
Amos, none sense.. You don’t make deals where things are bad. Only where things are good.
At what point are you Policeman and woman demand respect? Why are you guys still working? Aren’t you tired of talk? Talk is cheap. Ask Charles Severin who powerful action is – 29th May 1979. I don’t want to hear you talk ever again – I want to hear the sound of your boots on the ground marching
All police officer should transfer every six month to many favor and crap going on especially those in the stations in the villages
Very proud of the Police Welfare Association. You appear to using proper procedure in dealing with a very delicate and potentially inflammatory matter. Your wise approach does not prejudge and respects the rights of all involved.
Push back is expected, just do the right, be firm, be fair. The mission of police is to serve and protect, and of course, that begins with protecting your own from any manner of abuse. The rest of the country is closely looking up to you. May you help bring justice and good order to operations of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force.l
Any police officer can get a transfer, but once it is not fairly down and is to affoid justice to prevail based on investigation wise I believe legal advice needed. Make it even worst this transfer came up because of an incident reported by a police officer on a senior member. The chief of police is bias if is so and he need to resign or lunch an investigation on him as well. It is alledge that he might be involve, why he choose to transfer pwa chairman. Tampering with evidence is an offence
The police chief will be charged, arrested and fired ..
Very proud of the Police Welfare Association. You appear to using proper procedure in dealing with a very delicate and potentially inflammatory matter. Your wise approach does not prejudge and respects the rights of all involved.
Push back is expected, just do the right, be firm, be fair. The mission of police is to serve and protect, and of course, that begins with protecting your own from any manner of abuse. The rest of the country is closely looking up to you. May you help bring justice and good order to operations of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force.
Dominica deserves a Police Force better than the one now being advertised today. Now is the time for a public inquiry in the organization I USED TO BE PROUD OF
Under Skerrit there will never be an investigation into the police chief. I know that all you know that. We need to make sure that our voices count on the next election. Only than things will improve in DA.
They should all be fired. Refusing to wear our National colour RED. So unpatriotic after all we did for you, giving you the keys to Babylon, now you want to bring down Babylon!
Before you give my comment a thumb down, look up the meaning of sarcasm.
A police officer is entitled to be transfer at any point as per normal procedures, but if a particular transfer is considered as a victimization to undermined justice to take it course freely, or way of interfering with fellow officers rights to commit mischief as a chief of police that should not be accepted from you, by colleague from another country, once there is evidence to prove that you a being transfer to prevent investigation to take it course freely as the PWA chairman you need to seek legal advice.
Is there going to be more stories like this. Everytime something like this comes up in the force i remember one name Edward eddie Ravalier.
I believe that there should be another commission of inquiry into that force because there are to many stories. One thing that also strick my mind every time and i have heard Ravalier said it on many occasions that the active police officers should not be the ones investigating active police officers, there should be a special unit for that comprised of a few foreign officers and maybe ex officers also.
power to the men and women who protect our nation and do it truthfully.
Serve the people and don’t be afraid of being right.
Not suprise, more of Skerrit dem doing magee in D/ca
As a police officer to the heart l have echoed from and time the destructive tactics that have been employed in the running of the police force and often times l am told l must be supportive of the architect and stop saying such things. Now some of the things l have been saying are showing its ugly face. Sad to say the government is fully aware of it, but they do nothing about it. Let me take the opportunity to call on my fellow officers to maintain our military bearing and to remember we have a job to do in serving the public. In spite of the one man destruction let remember we are there to serve and not to used our position to suppress others and glorify ourself.
That’s non sense and the same female has been reinstated in the force and has since been send to Grand Bay