{"id":20875,"date":"2018-10-15T15:52:16","date_gmt":"2018-10-15T19:52:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=20875"},"modified":"2018-10-15T19:24:03","modified_gmt":"2018-10-15T23:24:03","slug":"commentary-arming-the-deputy-to-shoot-the-commissioner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-arming-the-deputy-to-shoot-the-commissioner\/","title":{"rendered":"COMMENTARY: Arming The Deputy To Shoot The Commissioner"},"content":{"rendered":"
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by RAWLSTON POMPEY<\/strong><\/p>

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Social\nbehavior, attitude and mood have drastically changed. So too is organizational\nbehavior and culture. In a hostile environment, it is has been more than\n\u2018…survival of the fittest.\u2019 For Police Services in the global community, it\nis \u2018…survival by decisive leadership.\u2019 When a Police officer comes under intense\npublic scrutiny, it was usually for conduct deemed unprofessional or\ninappropriate.\u00a0 When a Police Service\nprovoked national outrage, more often than not, it was usually for \u2018…unsavory\nconduct; …irrational decisions; or action or inaction on matters affecting public\ninterest; …expectations and national concern.\u2019 Negative perceptions are then\nentertained, while public confidence wanes, hostility increases and tension\nheightens, breathing animosity and contempt. These critical situations have\nnever been easy, neither for past Commissioners, nor current Acting\nCommissioner Atlee Rodney. He is not only expected to show proactive leadership\nand give public assurances, but also take decisive action that \u2018…chips fall\nwhere they may.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PERSPECTIVE<\/strong><\/p>

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It\nhas been the experience that citizens had taken issue, either with its\ninstitutions, agencies and agents. Invariably, people positioned to manage or\nchair these institutions and agencies, have displayed more confidence in\nself-praising, than their ability to take responsibility, manage and lead. This\ncommentary specifically looks at (a) <\/strong>…The\npredicament of Commissioner of Police Wendell Robinson; (b)<\/strong> …The investigative procedural glitches by Acting Commissioner\nAtlee Rodney; (c) …Difficulties in convening a trial by the Kelvin John-led 7-member\nPolice Service Commission. Functionally, there are no existing \u2018…Memoranda of\nUnderstanding.\u2019 Moreover, the Commissioner is not subordinate to the Commission.\nThe latter functions independently as constitutionally specified body [CO:\nSection 105], while the former functions in the capacity of chief law\nenforcement officer as provided by Statute [Police Act]. <\/p>

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ILLITERACY AND\nIGNORANCE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\nhas been said that among the gravest of man\u2019s enemies are \u2018…Illiteracy and Ignorance.\u2019<\/strong> That which might also be added are,\n\u2018…innocence, inexperience and subserviency.\u2019 Slinger Francisco, \u2018Mighty\nSparrow,\u2019 the world\u2019s greatest social commentator, had long foreseen miseries\nfor those who did not attend school, or attended school, but did not \u2018…learn\nwell.\u2019 He may not have envisaged that those that had learned well and availed\nthemselves of golden opportunities, would experience as much miseries as those\nstarved of a sound education. In the social commentary \u2018…Education is Essential,\u2019<\/strong> he contends that \u2018…Ignorance always increases risk.\u2019<\/strong> Many may recall him imploring\nchildren in this way, \u2018…Children go to school and learn well; …Otherwise,\nlater on in life you go catch real hell; …Without an education in your head;\n…Your whole life would be pure misery; …You would be better off dead\u2019 [You\nTube]. <\/p>

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KNOWLEDGE AND POWER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nperson who possesses knowledge, and seeks empowerment in whatever sphere of\nhuman endeavor, whether legal or illegal, is as dangerous as a person who has\nbeen empowered to wield power without the requisite knowledge. Likened to the\n\u2018…Secret\u2019 contained in the Grenadian spice, it has been said that the power\nof man lies in his knowledge. This was accredited to Francis Bacon who\nreportedly said \u2018…Knowledge is Power\u2019<\/strong>\n[1597]. In most organizations, private and public, there are vicious fights by\nmen who, starved of knowledge had been driven by ambition and opportunism. Research\nhas shown that third United States President, Thomas Jefferson, also equated\nknowledge with \u2018…power; …safety and happiness\u2019 [1743-1826]. If such\nequation shall be made with knowledge or contingent upon it, then \u2018…cronyism\u2019\nshall never be a consideration in positioning people to chair governmental\nbodies and\/or institutions to exercise power over people.<\/p>

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REASON AND CONSCIENCE<\/strong><\/p>

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The\nunpredictable nature of man and the conduct exhibited, had often brought peril\nupon himself. Those that are charged with responsibility for \u2018…leadership and superintendence\u2019<\/strong> and\nthose charged with disciplinary control of the Police Service, shall not only\nbe au fait with the Police Regulations, but also understand the procedures,\nwhen breaches of discipline are reported or alleged or when written complaints\nare received. In addressing these, knowledge, combined with the innate\nendowment of \u2018…Reason and Conscience,\u2019<\/strong>\nallows for informed decisions. However, even with those endowment and\nintelligence, lack of sufficient knowledge has often proved disastrous. Applied\nto the Police Service Commission (PSC), its members, comprising six males and\none female, are highly intelligent people. They came from various professional\nbackgrounds- \u2018…the legal fraternity; … law enforcement and business\nentities.\u2019 They have been the nucleus of a body constitutionally charged with\nthree functional areas within the Police Service. The Commission is purely a\nreferral body, as it has no administrative and\/or operational responsibilities\nfor the Police Service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FUNCTIONS – COP AND\nPSC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respecting\nthe Commissioner of Police, there are attendant powers to \u2018…superintend;\n…command and control the Police Service [Sections 6, 22 &23: Police Act:\nChapter 330]. Though the Commissioner shall make referrals to the Police\nService Commission on matters of \u2018…appointment; …transfer and discipline,\u2019\nadministratively and operationally, he functions independent of that body.\nWhile officers holding ranks subordinate to the Commissioner of Police had been\ninfrequently cited for breaches of Force discipline, few had been among the\nGazetted officer corp. Dependent upon the nature and gravity of the breach,\nsuch officers had been called upon to retire primarily in the in the interest\nof the public and the Police Force, and the need to repair the damage caused to\nits reputation, as to maintain integrity in the services it provide to the\nlaw-abiding citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADVERSITY AND\nTREACHERY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In\nsecularized societies, conduct of various forms, are exhibited. Human values\nhave been depreciated. Man in his pursuit of pleasures often ignores\nforeseeable consequences. With a comparatively successful career, position and\nlongevity of tenure, now appears to be in jeopardy, life for suspended\nCommissioner Wendell Robinson appears to be turning into misery. None may deny\nthat he is as knowledgeable as he is intelligent and astute. That which he may\nnot have envisaged, was that his alleged \u2018…Sins\nof Secularity,\u2019<\/strong> would have brought him agony, coming face to face with\norganizational \u2018…Adversity and Treachery.\u2019<\/strong>\nAccused of inappropriate behavior, when public pressure mounted for disciplinary\naction to be initiated against him, members of the Police Service Commission\nnot only appeared to have become frantic, but also likened to a rudderless\nship, drifted in choppy seas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

LETTER OF SUSPENSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When\nthe Police Service Commission (PSC) received complaints from male officers\nsubordinate to Commissioner of Police Wendell Robinson of inappropriate\nconduct, its members became overwhelmed by indecision. When, by a \u2018…Letter of Suspension,\u2019<\/strong> that contained\ncomplaints of …objectionable sexual advances, he may have been shocked into disbelief.\nWith his legal knowledge, he would have known that the leadership of the\nCommission, a former acting puigne Judge and former superiors, had all ignored\nthe \u2018…Principles of Natural Justice.\u2019<\/strong>\nWhen the complaints were channeled to Attorney General and National Security\nMinister Steadroy \u2018Cutie\u2019 Benjamin, it may have provoked suspicion that the\nPolice Service Commission was attempting to exploit his office. Steering far\naway from the entrance to the \u2018…Clare\nVue Psychiatric Hospital,<\/strong>\u2019 he hastily and prudently, dispatched the\ncomplaints from whence they came. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONTINUING LEADERSHIP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following\nthe suspension and complying with the prescriptive constitutional provisions,\nthe Commission sought and obtained approval of Prime Minister Gaston Browne for\nthe appointment of an Acting Commissioner. Such an appointment was necessary\nfor \u2018…Continuing Leadership\u2019<\/strong> of\nthe Police Service, and hence, the appointment of his Deputy Atlee Rodney was\nmade [April 5, 2018]. Having signified his approval, a Prime Minister plays no\npart in the administration of the Police Service. Whether permanently, or in an\nacting capacity, the superintendence of the Police Service is left to the sole\nresponsibility of the officer so appointed. Except \u2018…general directions,\u2019\nappropriately given by the Minister with responsibility for the Police, a\nCommissioner holds no responsibility to any Minister of the Crown or Police\nauthority. Such responsibility and obedience, are owed \u2018…only to the law\u2019 [Lord\nDenning: Master of the Roll: R v Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Blackburn ex\nparte: 1 AER: 763: 1968].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PARAGAN OF VIRTUE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nScripture edifies that St. Paul in an address to three groups, said \u2018…Each man in his own order\u2019 [KJV: 1\nCorinthians 15: 23].<\/strong> In a different perspective, representative of the\nthree groups (i)<\/strong> …An opportunity\nhad arisen and a position had been bestowed; (ii)<\/strong> …A task had been delegated; and (iii)<\/strong> …A decision had been made.\u2019 Consequent upon the suspension\nof Commissioner of Police Wendell Robinson, his Deputy Atlee Rodney had been\nappointed to act in the office of Commissioner of Police. While none may lay\nclaim to being a \u2018…Paragon of Virtue,\u2019<\/strong>\nwithin the organization, the Acting Commissioner has been known as an extoller\nof Christian virtues. Evidently, these may have impacted and guided his\nofficial and private life. He was known among the rank and file, to be an\nofficer of unquestionable repute; …highly disciplined; …well-respected;\n…approachable; …affable and accommodating.\u2019 Thus, it was little wonder,\nthat he was considered for the acting appointment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SECURITY OF TENURE <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

None\nso positioned, shall harbor illusions, and none may feel indispensable. There\nis no \u2018…Security of Tenure.\u2019<\/strong> The\ninstant case involving Commissioner Wendell Robinson, though suspended in a\nrather \u2018…peculiar circumstance,\u2019 made him the third Commissioner who were\neither suspended or dismissed from office. This speaks to the dreaded element\nof \u2018…Insecurity of Tenure.\u2019<\/strong> Among\nthe two that were suspended were former Commissioners \u2018…Truehart O.M, Smith\nQPM [MNI Reporter: April 4, 2003] and Vere Browne [BVI News: January 15, 2015],\nwhile expatriate Canadian Gary Nelson was summarily dismissed by the \u2018PSC\u2019 [The\nTelegraph: August 29, 2009]. As provided in the Constitution, the former sought\nand obtained redress from the Public Service Board of Appeal, but was never\nreinstated, while the latter two sought judicial review, failed in their bid\nfor reinstatement. As fate often dictates, the mandatory age of retirement (60\nyears), negative any further pursuit of justice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

INVESTIGATIVE BURDEN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likened\nto a bridled gelding; the Commission had saddled and exploitatively placed the \u2018…Investigative Burden\u2019<\/strong> on the\nCommissioner\u2019s Deputy, now Acting Commissioner Atlee Rodney, harnessing him\nwith three Special Constables\u2019 into theirself-induced madness.\u2019 Within twenty-four hours of assuming office, and\nperhaps,before opening the east\nwindow of the American Road Headquartered office, rumors not only saturated the\nmedia, but spread within the Police service and across the nation and region,\nthat he was delegated investigative responsibility. Dispelling such rumors, he\nsaid, \u2018…It is not legally correct;\n…It is not ethically correct that I would be acting in his position and at\nthe same time investigating the matter against him\u2019 [ABS TV: April 6, 2018]. <\/strong>Seven\nmonths later, when disciplinary charges were slapped against the suspended\nCommissioner, though members of the Commission had not reveled into a drunken stupor\nin the carnival troupe called \u2018…Insane,\u2019<\/strong>\nall members appeared to have been \u2018…stricken\nby insanity.\u2019 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MONUMENTAL\nINVESTIGATIVE BLUNDER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though\nmanagement theory suggests that \u2018…responsibility is not transferrable,\u2019 the\nCommission, in abdicating its responsibility, had undoubtedly, exploited the\n\u2018…innocence; …ignorance or docility of the Acting Commissioner. Positionally,\nhe may have been irrestibly enticed and inescapably entrapped. These may have\nimpelled him to resort to a \u2018…Non-Verbal\nRetraction\u2019<\/strong> of his media statement. This appeared to have been the juncture\nwhere the \u2018PSC not only shirked its responsibilities, but also created a\nhistorical, \u2018…Monumental Investigative Blunder.\u2019 \u00a0The Acting Commissioner had been sandwiched in\nthe power-play between Commissioner Wendell Robinson and an ambivalent Police\nService Commission. In \u2018…Veil of\nSecrecy,\u2019<\/strong> he was given the most awkward assignment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUMMARY SUSPENSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legendary\nJamaica and world renowned reggae artist, Robert Nestor \u2018Bob\u2019 Marley, showed no\nhesitation in confessing to a crime he had committed, but adamantly denied that\nhe had committed another. In open confession he said \u2018…I Shot the Sheriff,\u2019\nand strenuously denied, \u2018…But I didn\u2019t shoot the Deputy.\u2019 Applied to\n\u2018…Commissioner of Police Wendell Robinson and his Deputy Acting Commissioner\nAtlee Rodney\u2019 fiasco, the latter who had caused disciplinary investigation into\nthe conduct of his superior, slapped him with some five disciplinary charges,\nincluding \u2018…Discreditable and Oppressive\nConduct,\u2019 <\/strong>may very well have\n\u2018…Dreams to Remember\u2019 [Otis Redding].<\/strong> This makes it easy for Commission\nChairman (PSC) Kelvin John to deny any involvement in the investigative\nprocess. What appears undeniable has been the \u2018…Summary Suspension\u2019 <\/strong>from the office of Commissioner without\ninforming him of allegations made against him by personnel subordinate to\nhim.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADMINISTRATIVE\nCONSEQUENCES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\nhas also been the experience, that people \u2018…stricken by power-drunkenness,\u2019\nhad invariably caused other people to suffer the worst of their judgment.\nConversely, those that wielded power arbitrarily or with impunity or abdicated\ntheir responsibilities often became more of an embarrassing liability, than\nthey were seen as an asset to their organizations. Even with a practicing\nattorney, among its membership, t<\/strong>he\nPolice Service Commission, seemingly starved of procedural knowledge, had not\nonly shirked, but also shifted its responsibilities to Acting Commissioner\nAtlee Rodney. They had apparently exploited his innocence or procedural\nignorance. Though not authoritatively, he was assigned responsibility for\nconducting disciplinary investigations against his superior, Commissioner of\nPolice Wendell Robinson. He have been driven into a state of paranoia and left\ninescapably wedgedbetween a rock\nand a hard place.Buttressed by\nclear multiple procedural blunders, he showed a , a resolve and will of steel\nin mounting legal challenges to that considered adverse to his reputation or\nnecessary to avert looming \u2018…Administrative\nConsequences.\u2019 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ARMED TO SHOOT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When\nthe \u2018PSC\u2019 Chairman, Kelvin John referred three written complaints, first to\nAttorney General Steadroy \u2018Cutie\u2019 Benjamin and then to Acting Commissioner\nAtlee Rodney, abdicating his responsibility, he had \u2018…passed him the buck.\u2019<\/strong> This was where procedural horrors\u2019begun. When he was called upon to\ninvestigate allegations of \u2018…rebuffed sexual advances\u2019 made by three male\nofficers against Commissioner Wendell Robinson, he had \u2018…Armed him to Shoot\u2019 <\/strong>him from the back. Ironically, this occurred\nimmediately after the Police Service Commission had suspended his superior from\noffice, and appointed him to \u2018…act as Commissioner of Police\u2019 [April 5, 2018].\nAction subsequently taken had been misguided and inconsistent with prescriptive\nlegal procedures. He in turn obtained approval, and arranged for a 3-man\ninvestigative team from the regionally known Caribbean Community Implementation\nAgency for Crime and Security- \u2018…IMPACS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CRIME AND SECURITY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When\nevidence suggests that discredit may have been brought, or likely to have been\nbrought to the reputation of the Police Service, by conduct inimical to the \u2018…Organization\u2019s Interest,\u2019<\/strong> the\ndisciplinary machinery had often been activated. There has never doubt that\nhigh standard of discipline was critical to maintain public confidence and to\nprotect the integrity of the Police Service. Though for a purpose far removed\nfrom \u2018…Crime and Security,\u2019<\/strong> Acting\nCommissioner may have unwittingly caused the Police Service Commission to appoint\nthem as \u2018Special Constables.\u2019<\/strong>\nConsistent with the law, he had placed them under the command of Acting Deputy\nCommissioner Albert Wade with a delegated task to oversee investigation into\nthe complaints against Commissioner. Interestingly, \u2018…Terms of Reference\u2019\nwere prepared. Apart from the complaints, they were to prefer any other\ndisciplinary charges that may arise from the investigation\u2019 [ANUHCV:\n2018\/0202]. For clarity of understanding,<\/strong>\nthe Police Service Commission (PSC), has responsibilities for, (as far as ranks\nabove Sergeant are concerned) appoint persons to hold or act in offices in the\nPolice Service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

OVER-POWERING CAVEAT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0The exercise of authority, include (a)<\/strong> \u2018…appointment on promotion and\nconfirmation of appointments and transfer; and (b)<\/strong> …To remove and exercise disciplinary control over persons\nholding or acting in such offices\u2019 [CO: 1981: Section 105]. Even with such\nexercisable powers, the body is limited to making appointments of police\npersonnel to ranks above Superintendent of Police without consultation with the\nPrime Minister. For instance, the Constitution specifically states \u2018…Before\nthe Police Service Commission makes an appointment to the office of\nCommissioner or Deputy Commissioner, or a like post, however designated, it\nshall consult with the Prime Minister.\u2019 The \u2018…Over-Powering Prime Ministerial Caveat\u2019<\/strong> unambiguously states\n\u2018…If the Prime Minister signifies to the Police Service Commission his\nobjection to the appointment of that person, no appointment shall be made\u2019\n[Section 105 (3)].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ORGANIZATIONAL\nDISCIPLINE <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In\nmatters of \u2018…Organizational<\/strong> Discipline\u2019<\/strong> and grave public concern,\nagencies and agents of the State shall not only conform to the law, but shall\nfollow the legally prescribed disciplinary procedures to address such matters\nand\/or those that had provoked public concern. Given the seriousness of the\nallegations made against the leadership of the Police Service, there was no\ndoubt that it necessitated independent and decisive corrective disciplinary\naction. Likened to St. Paul, accused Commissioner Wendell Robinson may have been\nsaying \u2018…For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet\u2019\n[KJV: 1 Corinthians 15: 25]. Though twilight appears to be quickly fading on\nhis career, there is hope that there will be light at the end of a darkened\ntunnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MISCHIEF OF\nPARLIAMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\ninvestigative team was not appointed for the purposes stipulated in law, or\nwith the agenda of the regional organization that specifically deals with \u2018…Crime and Security.\u2019<\/strong> It was a\n\u2018…STRATCOM\u2019s release to the media that informed citizens of the arrival of a\n\u2018…3-man team of investigators from a regional agency to probe allegations\nagainst the Commissioner [OMG: August 2, 2018]. For ease of reference the law\nstates \u2018…The Commission may, at any time that they think it expedient in the\npublic interest so to do, appoint fit and proper persons to be Special\nConstables to act as such for the preservation of the peace\u2019 [Section 72:\nPolice Act: Chapter 330]. There may be no doubt or misunderstanding of the \u2018…Mischief Aimed by Parliament.\u2019<\/strong> Antiguan\nand Barbuda law students at the \u2018…Jamaican\nNorman Manley Law School\u2019 <\/strong>shall find no difficulties in understanding such\nmischief. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

OATH OF OFFICE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such\nOath States \u2018…I Jack Rabbit do solemnly swear that I will well and truly\nserve Our Sovereign Lady the Queen in the office of Special Constable in\nAntigua and Barbuda, without favor or\naffection, malice or ill-will,<\/strong> and that I will cause Her Majesty\u2019s Peace to\nbe preserved, and will prevent to the utmost of my power, offences against the\nsame. So help me, God\u2019 [Section 74]. Even more instructive, the law states \u2018…Special Constables shall be under the\norders of such officers as may be appointed to command them by the Commissioner\nof Police and, in the absence of any such officer, shall be under the orders of\nthe Commissioner of Police\u2019 [Section 76].<\/strong>The trio were remunerated with\nstipend form the Consolidated Fund\u2019 [Section 78: Police Act]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ORGANIZATIONAL\nINTEREST<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likened\nto the Commissioner of Police who exercises disciplinary control over\n\u2018…Corporals and Constables, the Police Service Commission on recommendation\nof the Commissioner of Police may suspend an officer that has attained the rank\nof, and above Sergeant.\u2019 While a Commissioner of Police may be suspended for\nconduct inconsistent with the disciplinary regulations, there are no \u2018…Statutory or Constitutional provisions\u2019<\/strong>\nfor the Commission to shift investigative responsibility to a person for an\nalleged breach, or breaches of discipline that it had independently acted upon.\nThey may, however, exercise powers and delegate authority to \u2018…any of its\nmember\/s or a public officer\u2019 [CO: 1981: Section 99]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\nwas no doubt that the office of Commissioner shall at all material times, be in\nthe occupation of a person of high repute, impeccable character and capable of\ncommanding organizational respect and inspiring public confidence. Now that the\ninvestigation into allegations has been completed and charges of \u2018…Discreditable and Oppressive Conduct\u2019 <\/strong>had\nbeen laid against Commissioner Wendell Robinson. Even as there has been a\ndeafening silence on the way forward to disciplinary hearing, there has been\nheightened public interest and eager anticipation in being informed on the\nstatus of the investigations. Viewed from the contents of the Oath of Office,\u2019\nhe could justifiably argue that the \u2018…Special Constables\u2019 were appointed to\nshow \u2018…Favor and affection to the\nPolice Service Commission,\u2019<\/strong> while harboring \u2018…Malice and ill-will against him.\u2019<\/strong> This may not necessarily be a\nhearing to determine \u2018…balance of\nprobability or improbability,\u2019<\/strong> but a hearing to make determinations of \u2018…Fate and Future\u2019<\/strong> of the suspended\nCommissioner Wendell Robinson. Though the Police Service Commission had\nreportedly divorced itself from the investigative arrangements, it shall not\ndistance itself from the procedural errors surrounding the affair. <\/p>\n

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by RAWLSTON POMPEY Social behavior, attitude and mood have drastically changed. So too is organizational behavior and culture. In a hostile environment, it is has been more than \u2018…survival of the fittest.\u2019 For Police Services in the global community, it is \u2018…survival by decisive leadership.\u2019 When a Police officer comes under intense public scrutiny, it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4095,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20875","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-letters-to-the-editor"],"yoast_head":"\nCOMMENTARY: Arming The Deputy To Shoot The Commissioner - Antigua News Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-arming-the-deputy-to-shoot-the-commissioner\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"COMMENTARY: Arming The Deputy To Shoot The Commissioner\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"by RAWLSTON POMPEY Social behavior, attitude and mood have drastically changed. So too is organizational behavior and culture. In a hostile environment, it is has been more than \u2018…survival of the fittest.\u2019 For Police Services in the global community, it is \u2018…survival by decisive leadership.\u2019 When a Police officer comes under intense public scrutiny, it […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-arming-the-deputy-to-shoot-the-commissioner\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Antigua News Room\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-10-15T19:52:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2018-10-15T23:24:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/wendell_robinson.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@AntiguaNewsRoom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@AntiguaNewsRoom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"17 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-arming-the-deputy-to-shoot-the-commissioner\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-arming-the-deputy-to-shoot-the-commissioner\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Editor\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5\"},\"headline\":\"COMMENTARY: Arming The Deputy To Shoot The Commissioner\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-10-15T19:52:16+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2018-10-15T23:24:03+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-arming-the-deputy-to-shoot-the-commissioner\/\"},\"wordCount\":3309,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-arming-the-deputy-to-shoot-the-commissioner\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:900\/h:600\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/wendell_robinson.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Letters to the editor\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-arming-the-deputy-to-shoot-the-commissioner\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-arming-the-deputy-to-shoot-the-commissioner\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-arming-the-deputy-to-shoot-the-commissioner\/\",\"name\":\"COMMENTARY: Arming The Deputy To Shoot The Commissioner - 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