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Opposition MP claims OBA guilty of ‘remarkable’ reversal on police control

Michael Scott

Shadow Public Safety Minister Michael Scott has welcomed what he says is a reversal of the governing One Bermuda Alliance’s position on control of the Bermuda Police Service.Premier Craig Cannonier told the House of Assembly on Friday he believed that the elected Government should have more say in selecting the Police Commissioner and the Bermuda Regiment commanding officer.Mr Scott said in press release that the Progressive Labour Party’s position that the elected government should have operational control of the Police Service had been opposed by Deputy Premier Michael Dunkley in the Throne Speech debate this year ­— but now appeared to be supported by the Premier.He said: “Despite being publicly opposed by Deputy Premier Michael Dunkley during the Throne Speech Debate earlier this year, the Premier has moved to the PLP’s position as laid out in this year’s Throne Speech Reply by PLP Leader Marc Bean.We welcome this move and pledge to support him on this issue. In the face of such strong and powerful historical opposition to the PLP’s position that Bermudians are capable of running our own Police Service, this marks a remarkable philosophical change and in only a few months!”Responsibility for both appointments rests with the Governor, who consults with a promotions board in the case of the Regiment CO and a selection panel and the Public Service Commission in the case of the Police Commissioner.