Officer Fired After U.S. Indictment Will Be Allowed to Challenge Dismissal

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The dismissal of a police sergeant who was charged in a U.S. indictment is now under court scrutiny after a government lawyer admitted he was fired without a hearing.

Prince Albert Symonette, who served in the RBPF for more than 30 years, has asked the Court to award him lost earnings.

Symonette was discharged on December 12, 2024, after U.S. federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment alleging that corrupt Bahamian law enforcement officers helped drug traffickers.

Acting Justice Cheryl Bazard has given Symonette the go-ahead to challenge his firing in a judicial review hearing after finding that he had an arguable case that he was not afforded a fair hearing.

Symonette said he was called into Police Headquarters on December 12, 2024, about two weeks after the indictment was made public on November 27, 2024, where he was fired and his police ID and firearm were confiscated.

Former Commissioner Clayton Fernander said the force’s executive team unanimously decided to discharge Symonette because his yearly contract had expired.