On March 4^th, 2019 the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS) and University of The Bahamas (UB) signed a partnership agreement with Georgia State University (GSU) and Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE) for Senior Police and Correctional Officers to engage in a leadership and management training programme.  The programme encompassed two phases with the first commencing at UB and the latter at GILEE in Atlanta, Georgia.

The first phase commenced at UB and focused on modules including written and oral communications, finance, budgeting, human resource management and critical global issues. The first cohort graduated on May 6^th, 2019 from UB and they matriculated into the second phase of the programme in Atlanta, Georgia. While in Georgia the students began the training programme with Georgia State University through the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange.  Participants from both the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services engaged in attachments with law enforcement leaders at the local, state and federal levels in the United States.

Minister Dames along with Commissioner Charles Murphy from BDOCS, Commandant Dr. Chaswell Hanna of RBPF Training College, Dr. Jennifer Bethel of the Ministry of National Security’s Research and Development Section, and Principal Corrections Officer Rolean Smith of BDOCS’ Staff Training Coordinator all traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, to participate in the first international graduation held over the weekend for Police and Correctional Officers in partnership with GSU and GILEE.

Minister Dames while in Atlanta sought to congratulate the graduates on this their latest accomplishments. He began by informing the graduates that as the undercurrents of crime and criminality change along with other social factors, so should the training and developmental needs of law enforcement agencies. In addition, he stated that the dynamic and complex nature of law enforcement across today’s globe requires law enforcement in the 21^st century to be proficient in many non-traditional areas. He further added that law enforcement personnel should understand and appreciate that law enforcement is increasingly becoming an information-rich profession where effective knowledge sharing within and between agencies locally and internationally is arguably becoming essential for success.

Minister Dames stated that the government is committed to ensuring that all law enforcement officers and leaders are exposed to the best and most progressive training opportunities in order to make them more successful in the critical role they play in national development.  He also encouraged each of the graduates to put their knowledge and skills to use beginning ‘day one’ of their return home. With new knowledge and skills comes much responsibility, therefore, he urged each not be selfish with it. Instead, they should strive to use it for the betterment of others within the organization.

Officers were encouraged to keep in contact with their international counterparts in Georgia whom they have met because learning is a two-way street and sharing best practices will increase the likelihood of their success and, by extension, the country.  Minister Dames also encouraged the first cohort to be a beacon of light for the next cohort of RBPF and BDOCS Officers who will begin their international phase of the training programme in the Fall of this year.

The Minister also thanked Bahamas Consul General for Atlanta, Astra Armbrister-Rolle, and her staffers at the Consulate; Mrs. Jamie Martin, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Embassy and her team of the U.S. Embassy in Nassau; Mrs. Keke Ehigaitor, Director of International Partnerships and Agreements at Georgia State University; and Dr. Robert R. Friedmann, Founder and Director of Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange, for support and guidance to the Officers and, by extension, the country.