National

Our People: Gerald Augustus Bartlett

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Originally from Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama, Gerald Augustus Bartlett received his education from Eight Mile Rock All Age School.

Published

1 year ago

August 22, 2023

Kendeno Knowles

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Originally from Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama, Gerald Augustus Bartlett received his education from Eight Mile Rock All Age School.
He later joined the police force in 1946 as a recruit constable undergoing five months of training.

He was later assigned to general duties as an orderly at Government House before being transferred to the Office of the Commissioner of Police as a clerk.

A series of promotions followed from 1957-1973 as Bartlett climbed the ranks to deputy commissioner of police and served in administration at Police Headquarters.

In 1981, Mr. Bartlett was appointed commissioner and served until his retirement in 1987.

The decade of the eighties was a challenging time for The Bahamas then under scrutiny for corruption in government during the height of the drug trade. However, Commissioner Bartlett is credited for transforming and leading the force to meet and rise above the many challenges of that time.

Throughout his career, he amassed an impressive record of quality service and was made a commander of the Victorian Order, commander of the British Empire and granted the Queen’s Police Medal and the Colonial Police Medal by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The government also granted him The Bahamas Silver Jubilee Award for law enforcement.

Commissioner Bartlett made lasting contributions to the development of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and to the development of The Bahamas placing him among the many nation builders who helped set the foundation for an independent Bahamas.

Bartlett passed away on October 1,1999. He was 77 years old.