NASSAU, Bahamas - Prime Minister Phillip Davis is urging members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) to improve their relationship with the general public noting that the country is at a crossroad.
Prime Minister Phillip Davis“The storms of crime, mistrust, and hardship have tested the very foundation of our society. But today, we turn the page. Today, we take our first steps toward a new chapter, a chapter defined not by fear, but by hope; not by despair, but by determination,” Prime Minister Davis said at the annual RBPF church service on Sunday.
“It is the time to step forward with conviction, with purpose, and with an unshakable belief that together we can rebuild what has been broken. Let this be the moment where we rise as one people, where we put aside divisions and doubts, and where we commit ourselves to the work of creating a stronger, safer, and more united Bahamas.”
Davis recalled a situation where he was approached by an elderly woman who told him that there used to be a time when the sight of a police officer on her street brought comfort, not fear, when the uniform represented safety, not suspicion
“Her words stayed with me because they reminded me of what we are working to restore: trust. Trust is not given freely; it is earned through action, consistency, showing up every single day and doing what is right.
“It is the foundation upon which the relationship between the Police Force and the Bahamian people must stand. Without it, the work of protecting and serving becomes hollow,” he said, adding “this is our moment to rebuild that trust”.
Davis acknowledged that it won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight.
“But it can happen. It starts with accountability, ensuring that every badge is worn with honour and every action reflects the values of integrity and fairness. It continues with transparency, letting the people see not just what the Police Force does, but why it does it.
“To the men and women of the Force, I say this: every interaction you have with the public is a chance to rebuild that trust. Every conversation, every decision, every act of service is an opportunity to show the Bahamian people that you are here for them.”
But he said also that trust is a two-way street and that the police officers would also need the support of the public.
In his address, Prime Minister Davis said he wanted to “level” with the RBPF given that “this is not an easy time to wear the badge.
“Criticism is louder than ever, and trust has been shaken. I know it’s not fair that the actions of a few cast a shadow over so many who serve with honour. But this is the reality we face, and it is up to you, up to all of us, to change it.”
He said police officers must also be mindful of the future when their children or grandchildren ask them about the country’s history.
“What will you say? Will you tell them you stood firm when it mattered most? Will you tell them you were part of the solution? The choice is yours to make every single day. Hold your head up high because you are part of something bigger than yourself. This country needs you now more than ever—to lead, to protect, and to inspire. ”
Over the weekend, Shanta Knowles became the first woman to head the RBPF and Prime Minister Davis warned that leadership is not a crown, but “a cross.
“It is a weight we choose to carry, not for ourselves, but for those who look to us with hope in their hearts and trust in their eyes. The Bahamian people do not ask for perfection, but they do demand accountability. They understand that the fight against crime is not won in a single moment, but through consistent effort.
“They expect a Police Force that is fair, firm, and fearless in upholding the law, and a leadership team that inspires confidence through its actions.”
Prime Minister Davis said that while the country is facing not just a fight against crime “but a battle for the soul of our nation,” it is also “not a task for one group or one institution.
“The government cannot do it alone. The police cannot do it alone. But together, together, we can reclaim what we have lost. Together, we can build a Bahamas where every child feels loved, where every family is whole, and where every community is strong.
“So, let us rise to this moment. Let us pray for the lost, mentor the forgotten, and stand together for the future of our nation. This is a battle for the soul of The Bahamas, and I believe, with all my heart, that if we fight together, we will win,” he added.
