Rights Bahamas has been made aware of a recently released viral video of a police officer with the Royal Bahamas Police Force physically assaulting a man that had been accused of loitering in a public place. The video starts with shaky footage of the side-walk as the officer can be seen communicating with an alleged tourist on vacation. As the gentleman is given his passport, he pulls it quickly out of the officer’s hands, and is then slapped in the face by the officer.

There are many officers within the RBPF that work hard everyday to ensure that the citizens of this nation are safe, and well protected. To those officers we wish to provide our full support and gratitude as you take on daily feats that the average person would never think of attempting. You put your lives on the line to ensure that your fellow Bahamians are safe, and for that you deserve the greatest of praise. However, the few that spoil the reputation of an entire Police Force should see the brunt of social ridicule and disgust. You take up an oath to serve, and to protect, and rather than do so you present your colleagues with the difficult task of dealing with a public that does not trust the police.