National

Former COP: “It’s Disturbing, But It Doesn’t Represent The Entire Image Of The Force”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – “Disturbing” is how former Police Commissioner Paul Rolle is describing a viral video which appears to show a police officer attempting to solicit a bribe from a tourist during a roadside traffic stop.

Published

2 months ago

January 22, 2026

Joshua Williams

The incident sparking public backlash and a police investigation.

Rolle, who’s now serving as an international diplomat, telling our Joshua Williams, that the incident is unfortunate but doesn’t represent the true image of the force.

In recent days, law enforcement officers have been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. One of them, a police officer who’s at the center of an alleged bribery scandal that was sparked by a more than three-minute video surfaced on TikTok.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force has since launched an investigation into the clip, which appears to show a police officer attempting to solicit a bribe from a tourist during a roadside traffic stop, allegedly to avoid issuing a ticket.

Former Police Commissioner Paul Rolle says the incident shouldn’t cast a dark cloud on the entire law enforcement agency.

“Those allegations are in no way a reflection as to who the members of the Police Force, but you know as police officers, we take an oath and are held to those oaths a little different from the ordinary citizen.”

Earlier this week, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe, told reporters the officer seen in the video has not been on the force for long.

But Rolle says whether he’s new or a veteran, every officer receives a code of conduct.

“Key areas include professional conduct, use of force, appearance, fitness for duty, confidentiality, and handling of duty property, all under a framework of accountability, including formal discipline for misconduct.”

As for how the matter should be handled, Rolle says that’ll be determined by what’s revealed in the Force’s investigation of the incident.

“Those offenses that allegedly occur while an officer is off duty may be dealt with by a magistrate’s court. Offences allegedly committed by an officer during the course of duty are typically handled in the police tribunal. However, in any case, if the matter amounts to a crime or so egregious, the Commissioner has the discretion to decide whether to place the officer before the Magistrate’s Court or the Police Disciplinary Tribunal. “