PM Warns Car Dealers After Police Acquire Broncos Without Approval
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has issued a stern warning to car dealerships after two Ford Broncos were obtained for the police without Cabinet approval.
Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show on Pointe FM, Browne said the vehicles were taken from a local car dealer and later found parked at the Langfords Police Station. He explained that the police claimed the SUVs were intended for “clandestine civilian operations,” but the purchases were made without authorization.
“We don’t work like that,” Browne said. “If anyone gives any vehicles to any public servant without a Cabinet decision and the relevant documentation from the ministries, it’s going to be a gift because we’re not paying them.”
The prime minister said the Broncos were reclaimed reassigned to senior officers. He added that the Cabinet Secretary and Finance Secretary had been instructed to issue formal notices reinforcing the rule that all government vehicle purchases must be expressly approved by Cabinet.
Browne noted that the policy was not new but was being reemphasized to ensure accountability and prevent misuse of public funds. “You must follow the rules,” he said. “Some police officer goes up there and says, ‘You want two Broncos,’ and you just give them two Broncos like that? We don’t do business like that.”
Cabinet Secretary Lee later confirmed in a circular that any motor vehicle delivered or consigned to the government without an explicit Cabinet decision would be deemed “null and void,” and the government would accept no liability for payment.
Browne also mentioned specific dealers, including Hadeed and Harney among others.
“We’ve warned them before, both privately and publicly,” he said. “This time, I’m serious.”
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Why does it take the PM to enforce a government policy decision? What happened the department heads? Instead of warning the car dealers the PM should have the COC haul his ass before Cabinet, pull down his pants and…well you what.
So why accept the two vehicles and pay for them if prior approval and agreement was not sought? Is that how government and its finances work? Wouldn’t this encourage other civil servants and police to flaunt established rules and regulations and do their own thing? Under no circumstances should those two vehicles be paid for by government. These are the kinds of wasteful expenditures that is not just unhelpful but downright wrong.
Yet he curse Kem W.
Antiguan governments on a whole are always happily ready to accept any sort of donation, contribution, endorsement or sponsorship from these Big names in business and this is mostly where all the corruption lies. MP Cutie Benjamin needs to spend the money allocated to his ministry and equip the police with the technology, right equipment and other accessories, plus an added fleet of vehicles, mark and unmarked already retrofitted for his officers to do their job.
Someone made the point the other day about the only time they see a traffic police is at an accident 100% agree and at the airport. If these traffic officers was on our streets patrolling, ticketing and assisting traffic as they should, all these speeding, overtaking and nonsensical accidents will be quickly reduce.
PM you need to open a investigating you would be surprised the amount of things you would find out the now Acting Commissioner was informed about that same senior officer and what he is doing with thoes same car dealers and not just cars alone he getting from them he also got got big generator and all his woman have government vehicles running up and down the place.
This is going on for a long time the police take vehicles his women ….mr pm please carry investigation as to how police vehicles purchase and u will shock to know how this police doing as he pleases…..,what happen d commissioner cannot control that officer
So a corrupt them corrupt. The police know the law and should be law abiding. They drive the darkest tinted personal vehicles , with illegal colored lights. They hang out in illegal Spanish operated bars where gambling and prostitution right in their faces. They just murdered a young man from Bolands and hope it will go away. The saying goes- one bad apple, spoil the whole bunch. They have almost 50% bad apples. They allow criminals to get off for the most horrible crimes- murder, rape , arm robberies because they don’t do their work properly.
The persons in charge needs to be held accountable- The Cute minister, the DPP , the police commissioner, the police service commission and right down to those on beat.
They are not above the law and charges need to be brought against them. Next thing they personally own these vehicles. Paid for by tax dollars.
Totally agree with Gaston, but the 2 Broncos should not have been accepted
Every police officer in the force as far as I understood, know who that officer is. From Commissioner to the last joined police officer is afraid of him.He is untouchable . I carry out my own iininvestigation when I was told certain things and my findings were frightening. He have a crush for ggenerators. He will order generators for the stations he say so that his women can get one and also his friends. Some thing with vehicles. He have certain politician in his pockets and the government is also afraid of him. Right now he targeting promotions as to who should be promoted because of their age. The police service commission is afraid of him. Let him pay from his pockets all the vehicles in his possession and those he got without cabinet approval.He is the right hand man for C.B .He along with the PSC destroyed the former Commissioner of Police. He is deadly and ah so he dunce. Officers are surprised as to how he reach that rank. MR. PM, you hit the nail on the head. Please take action before thst scandal ruin your government
This is the Job for the minister of national security to investigate,if police officers are doing things without proper approval…
Gaston know which branch to jump on
He won’t dare wade into deeper waters. Everyone know that the Force is filled with corruption and everyone know who the main kingpin is. But he is untouchable. He undermined the last Commissioner and he is doing the same now. Others have commented here above about the number of vehicles he has that are being driven by his concubines. So Gaston. Give me a break.
“Follow the rules” the Prime Minister tells the police. Absolutely correct! But somehow, I knew he was going to drag UPP’S good name into his sideshow somehow. So predictable!
According to he, this issue was originally with the police.
If Gaston Browne also has ANY proof of impropriety in the past by the previous administration, then produce the evidence forthwith or keep quiet, or honest hardworking Antiguans will think that this slackness is right across the authoritarian board.
BTW, on a similar note, didn’t an ABLP Minister “allegedly” get an undocumented high end vehicle delivered over he fence to he yard that wasn’t processed in accordance?
This rumour – whether true or not – has been going round the island for years and years …
This unstable LABILE Browne diatribe, sounds more like the “pot calling the kettle black”.
ANTIGUANS WANTS RULES FOLLOWED BY ALL
OTTO word! 👏🏾
Transparency and investigations into everyone of the law makers; those in authority and most importantly, our elected politicians.
WOULDN’T THIS BE REASSURING?
This police officer need to be disciplin he is bringing the police force into disrepute and d commissioner cannot control him at all just how much generator he order and see if he can give account for them….mr ps at works please investigate this officer