On behalf of Motiv-8 For Change International, I will like to firstly express my deep sadness over the recent occurrence in St. David which has not only seen the premature demise of a fellow Grenadian Canadian, but has brought our Royal Grenadian Police Force into questionable disrepute of “Ongoing Police Brutality” in the international media, especially the Canadian media here.
Although I am extremely troubled by the outcome of this tragic situation and express my deep condolences to the family and relatives of Mr. Oscar Bartholomew, simultaneously, on behalf of Motiv-8 For Change International, I have to register my solidarity with the RGPF, a very credible and respectful institution with which I have worked over the past years.
Let me go on record as saying that as the president of Motiv-8 For Change International a Toronto based Social Skill Agency, during my past years of working along with the RGPF, I have personally experienced a high degree of professionalism and respect from street level policing to top administrative level.
However, even if I have worked with all the various RGPF demographical divisions, SSU and Immigration in the past and relish the great experience, I cannot doubt the existence of individuals within the force who have the ability to cause such serious disrepute to the RGPF while inflicting much grief and pain to victims and their families.
It is for this reason that ASP Terrence Noel who overlooked my work at the police college in 2004, and saw the power and impact of these sessions on his officers, arranged a meeting and presentation for me with Superintendent Martin in July 2011. After seeing a complete outlay of the multi-dimensional approach of “Project STOP ‘n’ THINK” -our international crime prevention campaign which emphasizes a Professional Development “Impulse Control” component for officers, Sup. Martin immediately referred me to ASP Mc Intyre of the Community Relation Department for investigating, negotiating and planning how these sessions could be delivered to the community and also to officers of the RGPF.
The overall objective of this “Impulse Control” component is to equip officers with a strategy to help them to professionally pre-think their response, reactions and consequences before spontaneously reacting and suffering what can be bitter and lifelong consequences for themselves and others. By the way, our international official “Project STOP ‘n’ THINK” poster hangs in Gouyave, Victoria, GrandRoy, Grenville Police Stations and at the CRD Head office.
However, because of budgetary allowances, these sessions could not be implemented, and even if as son of Grenada, I indicated that I was prepared to offer them almost free, it is with deep regret that the RGPF was not able to schedule them. Who knows, these sessions might have equipped the officers in question with “Project STOP ‘n’ THINK” Impulse Control Mechanism to deal with the temptation of impulsive reactions as seem evident in this current situation.
To date and most recently, I have made over fifteen appearances on the live Canadian TV Shows “INSIDE WORLD REPORTS” and “ON THE LINE” as a guest to give my opinion on issues in the news. Let me say here that if called upon to give my opinion on this issue, although I will join the voices that condemn this brutality, I also promise to uphold the professionalism and respect of the Royal Grenada Police Force, while vindicating the good name of our citizens and homeland.
In closing let me again offer the family of Mr. Bartholomew my heartfelt sympathies, and wish for you that the blessings and miracles of the new year will overshadow the grief and pain as you undertake the daunting task of moving on with your lives.
Finally, I want to again go on record as offering my services to Grenada and the Bartholomew family to help in the healing process which this event has inflicted on our nation. I am prepared to reschedule my local and international assignments to respond if called.
God bless Grenada and I wish all a Happy New Year.