Mission

“To defend, protect and guard the national and territorial sovereignty and integrity of The Bahamas and its citizens”.

Introduction

The Ministry of National Security is the government entity charged with ensuring the public security of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and overseeing the implementation of the areas of responsibility that fall under the portfolio of the Minister of National Security.

The Government of The Bahamas places high priority on public safety and national security and this is indicative of the significant allocation that is made to the ministry each year in the national budget.

The ministry has policy oversight for the major agencies in the country that are responsible for ensuring law and order, defence and corrections.  They are the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Bahamas Department of Corrections formerly Her Majesty’s Prison.  The ministry also has responsibility for the Parliamentary Registration Department which is responsible for parliamentary registration and elections.

The day-to-day responsibility for matters relation to Flags and Coat of Arms, Prerogative of Mercy, Private Sector Security Services and the National Anti-Drug Secretariat, all fall within the purview of the ministry.

Administration

The Hon. Marvin H. Dames, Minister of National Security, is the head of the ministry and exercises general direction and control over the ministry.  The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Marco Rolle, is the Chief Administrative Officer responsible for the supervision of the ministry, human resources, accounting matters and the daily implementation of the government’s policies and programmes.

The ministry currently has a staff complement of 59 comprising a senior administrative team, executive officers, accounting officers, executive secretaries and clerical and support staff.   Due to the devastation of the Churchill Building, Rawson Square, East Street North, caused by the passage of Hurricane Matthew, the majority of the staff is temporarily stationed at Charlotte House, Charlotte and Shirley Streets.

To maintain a cohesive team and enhanced performance, the ministry places emphasis on staff development and training at all levels of the organisation through attendance at meetings, conference, seminars and workshops locally and abroad.

Core Responsibilities

National Symbols

The National Symbols of The Bahamas that currently fall within the purview of the Ministry of National Security are the Flags and Coat of Arms.

The Flags and Coat of Arms (Regulation) 1973 (Chapter 32) and the Flags and Coat of Arms Regulations, 1991 (Chapter 32) regulate the National Flag, the Governor General’s Flag, the Prime Minister’s Flag and the Coat of Arms.

Provisions for the display, respect, use and upkeep of the National Flag, Governor General and Prime Minister’s Flag and Coat of Arms are contained at Sections 3–5 of the Act and 2–10 of the Regulations.  From time to time, the Minister may make regulations providing for such other flags.  These flags are defined in Part III of the Flags and Coat of Arms Regulations, 1991.  

All applications for use of the National Flag or Coat of Arms must be addressed and submitted to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Security, P.O. Box N-3217, Charlotte House, Charlotte and Shirley Streets.  A copy of the application for permission to sue the National Flag or Coat of Arms or a similar flag or device can be obtained from the ministry’s office or online.  A copy of the licence that is granted for use of the National Flag and Coat of Arms can be found online at Part II (Regulation 23 (3)).

Inquiry Agents and Security Guards

The activities of inquiry agents and security guards in The Bahamas are regulated and controlled by the Inquiry Agents and Security Guards Act 1976 (Chapter 210).  The Minister of National Security is responsible for the grant of licences to operate as Inquiry Agents or Security Guards under the Act.

The Private Sector Security Services Unit in the Ministry of National Security has responsibility for carrying out the licensing requirements in accordance with the Act.  This includes the licensing of Inquiry Agents, Security Guards and Armoured and Security Companies in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Presently, there are over 150 active Security Guard and/or Inquiry Agent Companies in operation throughout The Bahamas.  Persons wishing to engage a firm should ensure the legitimacy of the company’s licence.

Prerogative of Mercy

Prerogative of Mercy is another portfolio responsibility of the Ministry of National Security.  The exercise of the POM allows for the minister to extend a level of compassion to certain persons convicted of criminal offences, who have demonstrated the ability to reintegrate into society.

Articles 90–92 (Chapter V) of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, allow for the powers of pardon and other forms of intervention for persons convicted of offences against the laws of The Bahamas.

Article 90 provides for the Governor-General of The Bahamas to:

1. Grant to any person convicted of any offence against the law of The Bahamas a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions
2. Grant to any persons a respite, either indefinite or for a specified period, from the execution of any punishment imposed by any sentence for such an offence
3. Substitute ales severe form of punishment for that imposed by any sentence for such an offence; or
4. Remit the whole or any part of any sentence passed for such an offence or any penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to Her Majesty on account of such an offence

The powers of the Governor General in carrying out the above provisions are exercised by him in accordance with the advice of a Minister of Government, designated by him in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister (the designated minister is the Minister of National Security).

In carrying out his POM functions under Constitution, the minister is provided with advice from the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, Article 91 of the Constitution provides for there to be an Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy consisting of the Minister as Chairman, the Attorney General and not less than three or more than five other members appointed by the Governor General.

Article 92 provides for the Advisory Committee to meet to consider the case of an offender who has been sentenced to death by any court for an offence against the law of The Bahamas.

It is noted that the Advisory Committee is obliged to meet to review the cases of persons who are under sentence of death for offences against the laws of The Bahamas.  However, in tendering advice to the Governor General, the minister is not obliged in any case to act in accordance with the advice of the Advisory Committee.

The POM process is to assist the minister in meeting his responsibility to advise the Governor General on matters relating to sentenced persons.  The minister may also consult with the Advisory Committee before tendering any advice to the Governor General with respect to cases other than those outlined under Article 90.

The Advisory Committee generally meets two to three times each year to consider petitions of inmates and other related matters.  It is customary for any Special Entry Release of prisoners resulting from these meetings to take place around the time of the Christmas or New Year’s Day holiday or during the period of the Bahamas Independence celebrations.

The day-to-day management and administrative matters of the Advisory Committee are carried out by the Prerogative of Mercy Unit, a specialised division within the ministry.  The Unit liaises with the relevant government agencies to obtain the reports necessary to assist in consideration of matters by the Advisory Committee.

POM petitions should be made in writing and may be addressed to the Minister of National Security and Chairman, Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, P.O. Box N-3217, Nassau, Bahamas or hand delivered to the 1^st Floor Charlotte House, Charlotte & Shirley Streets.

National Anti-Drugs Secretariat (NADS)

The National Anti-Drug Secretariat is housed within the Ministry of National Security. It had its origin in a recommendation coming out of the first National Anti-Drug Plan. In February 2008, the government made the NADS operational as a means of bringing more focus and cohesion to the national drug control efforts.

The NADS has as its core objective the realisation of a drug-free Bahamian society.  In pursuit of this objective, the Secretariat is responsible for the following:

• Coordinating activities of all national agencies involved in drug control.
• Ensuring that The Bahamas’ international obligations and signatory to all international conventions, treaties and agreements on drugs are met.  
• Ensuring that The Bahamas is properly represented and actively participates at regional and international meetings related to drug control.

An essential part of the Secretariat is the National Drug Observatory which is responsible for the collection, evaluation, collation and dissemination of accurate and timely data on drugs.

The Secretariat is headed by a Director, who is assisted by a Deputy Director and other middle management, secretarial and clerical staff.  The Secretariat is located in the Churchill Building, East Street North.

Boards and Committees

In fulfilling its mandate, the ministry is assisted by a number of statutory boards and committees.  Further details on the composition of these Boards can be found under the Resources Section of the Ministry of National Security.

• Prerogative of Mercy Board
• Prison Visitation Committee
• Probation Parole Committee
• Aid to Discharged Prisoners Committee
• Correctional Services Review Board
• Defence Commission Board
• Police Complaints Board
• Police Service Commission