Survey seeks public opinion on CoP

| 21/03/2016 | 56 Comments
Cayman News Service

David Baines, Cayman Islands Commissioner of Police (Photo by Dennie Warren Jr)

(CNS): Local activist Kent McTaggart has created an online public opinion survey about the performance of Police Commissioner David Baines and is urging people to take part and express their feelings about the job he is doing. The survey opened on Sunday night and by Monday lunchtime it had been completed by around 60 respondents, the majority of whom did not appear to have much faith in the police boss. The survey follows a catalogue of complaints, including the RCIPS’ handling of the recent search operation and the latest failure of officers to respond to a home invasion in North Side.

McTaggart told CNS he wanted to find out if the public are as concerned about his performance as he is and if they are, he wants the authorities to know the position of the people who pay his salary.

“I’m growing critically concerned about the direction Cayman is heading, the well-being and quality of life for our people,” McTaggart said. “I have my own thoughts as to whether David Baines is serving our people well and I wanted to see what the perspective of others outside my circles were. If the results of the survey confirm my beliefs as correct, I will be putting energy into helping the governor understand that Baines needs to go.”

The survey asks just seven questions focusing on Baines’ job performance managing the RCIPS and fighting crime.

As well as the concerns that have been raised about the search and rescue operation for the three adults and two children, now presumed lost at sea, MLA Bernie Bush also filed a long list of complaints about alleged mismanagement of local policing with the governor, all of which were dismissed by the commissioner.

From the recruitment of a police officer who was under investigation for and later convicted of murder to the controversial case of drugs being stolen from the police evidence locker, Baines is coming in for increasing public dissatisfaction. However, whether this is from a vocal minority or the wider community remains to be seen.

Take the survey about Police Commissioner David Baines

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Category: Crime, Police

Comments (56)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Missing boats? Missing drugs? Missing bikes? Missing police van? Missing files? RCIP or Lost and Found department?

  2. Anonymous says:

    How can the RCIP do their job when people expect them to be mind readers and know when a crime is going to be committed? People expect them to be there in advance of the crime- huh? Then, the people in the community will not come forward and give a witness account- not even when they see a young person get shot and murdered- how can a crime be solved? People expect the RCIP to be miracle workers. Can’t put the blame on one guy- instead put the blame on the community or at least the parents, guardians, family members, girlfriends etc. that are remaining silent when they know their son/daughter does not work, but is coming home with large amounts of cash or a bike etc. or blood on their clothes.

    • Anonymous says:

      14 hours to respond to a home invasion. 9 hour delay to initiate SAR for the missing 5. 3 dirt bikes stolen – and then, incredibly, a further 5 from the same lockup at the GT Central Police HQ a few days later. These are just a few tidbits of the last couple weeks. You can’t make this stuff up. They suck.

  3. Anonymous says:

    As soon as I read “multi generational Caymanian” I logged out too. I suppose it’s mildly better than the ridiculous “indigenous Caymanian” but it just shows the small-minded, pathetic bigotry that still drives these issues here.

    • Anonymous says:

      Please leave. You plainly have no care or compassion for the very people who built this society hand in hand with expatriates and whose home you now sit in, spitting on them. You are the the one with the entitlement mentality.

  4. Joe says:

    A bit of education here: Under the Cayman islands Law there is now such thing as Multi generational Caymanian! Only Caymanians! A permit holder is a resident. So b4 we even start to listen to you get you facts straights at least! 345876 signing out.

    • Kent says:

      The law may not have a distinction, however there absolutely is such a thing. And when a new Caymanian has their kids, those kids will be multi-generational.

      Also, I will say that if what you get out of this is the issue of multi and new Caymanian, you are absolutely missing the point.

      • Eddy Driftwood says:

        I am a “non generational, non caymanian without status” and quite frankly, dont give a rat’s ass.

    • Anonymous says:

      Not all residents are permit holder. Chew on that one for a few

  5. Anonymous says:

    “multi generational Caymanian”. FFS – I certainly won’t be completing any survey that divides Caymanians in this way, no matter my views on Baines.

  6. Anonymous says:

    There is no communication between the police officers. We have had a few incidents at our apartment complex, and each time it is reported and new police come we have to start from the beginning and tell it over as they are completely unaware of what had happened previously. Considering this incident was concerning a pervert and was sexual abuse we thought it would have been headline news but was all kept very quiet. Maybe he was family of someone.

    • Anonymous says:

      Had he just been released from prison after his Second stint in Northward
      for armed rape ?!! Yes that hero

      • Anonymous says:

        He was recently released from prison and living in a halfway house. Don’t know what he was in jail for. He is still on the streets we see him regularly.

  7. Lily says:

    The Governor appoints the COP. With that being said is there any hope for our police service?

    H.E is on a paid vacation; I don’t think she really cares what happens to us….just an observation.

    Crime is increasing and with it the gun violence; it only makes sense for us law abiding citizens to deal with the scum ourselves.

    I am sure we all have a good imagination; put that to use when they come at you in your home and your family! Show no mercy; for they will come back if you do!

  8. Anonymous says:

    We need to promote David Baines to Platinum Command. After all, he came here with a sterling record from the UK and his tireless service to our little group of islands coupled with a massive budget, XXXX, I think his MBE stands for More Bloody Excuses.
    Helen Kilpatrick seems to be leaving a shocking legacy of cocking a snoot at the islands that so warmly welcomed her.
    Madame Governor, will you PLEASE make a public statement on the reasons why you continue to support such underachievement in our law enforcement?

    • Anonymous says:

      I can answer that question for you – it’s because Baines is from the UK. If it was a Caymanian the DG would be having a lot to say on the matter even if he had to wait until he was Acting for HE. It only goes to show how the UK has our own senior civil servants in their pockets. God help us! As a Caymanian I am suggesting that the spineless Premier take action by amending the present appropriation bill through the LA and not to approve the police budget and the Ministry of Home Affairs on a whole in the upcoming budget until there is a commitment with HE to terminate Baines and expedite the exit of Eric Bush out of Cayman by forcing him to resign instead of on a Secondment as he is also a disaster even though he is Caymanian. Unfortunately, he is also useless and totally incompetent.

  9. Anonymous says:

    I’ve had a Minister tell me that Cabinet has vigourously and repeatedly complained to HE about Baines’ (lack of) performance. She continues to ignore them. I guess Cabinet forgets that they hold the purse strings!! However, it says it all about how much the Governor and FCO respect Cayman!

  10. Anonymous says:

    Question 7 says it all. XXXXXXX Baines is doing a great job. He is not the problem. Local criminality and crap juries are the problem.

  11. Anonymous says:

    they all need to go back to merry old England

  12. SO PISSED OFF... says:

    SO PISSED OFF…

    My experience with the police department is that they will bend backward NOT to do their job and nobody at any level is interested in getting anything done: in short they could care less…

    For over a month I have had a complaint for theft and extortion against a fraudster who claims to be a mechanic: he is holding 2 of my cars and trying to extort money for work never done.

    Btw, he has no qualification other than being a backyard oil monkey and can still get a business license, as there are no laws in Grand Cayman to prevent unqualified people from starting a business and robbing blind the customers…

    I have had it and my next email will be to the Governor and the FCO…

    The mental attitude of this police department is so bad that they need to be all removed from top to bottom and start anew with new work parameters and proper supervision…

    • Anonymous says:

      Best find a couple of UK MPs to copy in. The FCO & the Governor traditionally support their operatives in the Police. The MPs, on the other hand, sometimes 9not always) relish the opportunity to rake the FCO over the coals. It mightn’t get your cars back any faster, but it might make you feel better.

  13. Kenny says:

    Shame on you for such a bias survey. You are wasting your time. Try and get out there and help and stop this nonsense

    • Kent says:

      I did a survey from my perspective for my purposes. Is there anything illegal or immoral amount that?

      As for get out there and help stopping it, I do what the police allow and that is witness and call them. Typically the offenders are gone in the 30 minutes or so the RCIPS takes to respond.

      So I am doing the next thing on my list, sorry you don’t see value in it. But hopefully it opens some eyes to how Cayman truly feel about the CoP.

      Have a great day

  14. Anonymous says:

    This Governor is a joke. She has been here close to 3 years. Can anyone point to anything she has done, apart from get the Premier to become friends with Legge? She and Baines both are laughing at Caymanians, saying we can do anything we want to do, or not do, and Cayman can’t do a thing. Any other Civil Servant would have been made to go, but Baines gets to stay until his contract ends, no matter what and the Governor has already secured an extension to her stay here. It is not all Baines fault but others in his position would not have received such protection: he reports only to the Governor and nobody else.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Let me save you the time on this survey. POOR.

  16. Anonymous says:

    What the hell is multi generational caymanian? Who made that crap up. Stupid ignorant survey

    • Anonymous says:

      Multi generational Caymanian, a Caymanian who is the pickny of a Caymanian. As opposed to a Caymanian whom has become Caymanian without being a pickny of Caymanians.

      I’m not sure anyone made it up, as the “multi generational” is a descriptive, kinda like a a dumbass person, “dumbass”is the descriptive of the person.

    • Cabron says:

      I ain’t putting my lips to no phone or no pen to no Survey, all I gotta say is loud and claaaaare “HES GOT TO GO”.

  17. Anonymous says:

    I don’t know who the best chief of police in the world is. But if you gave him or her the job of running the RCIP it would still be a complete shambles.

    • Anonymous says:

      Me either. I think Kurt Walton has the training, the compassion and the grit to get the job done.

  18. Anonymous says:

    With the ongoing headlines in the news as it relates to crime and police incompetence, I really think Baines has to go..I know the Governor must see it by now and she seems like a decent and reasonable woman but she must be pressed and beholding to someone either Baines himself or someone in the FCO. A blind man can see now that he has to go..His incompetence is reprehensible..

  19. Anonymous says:

    I see from the survey we now have a category of Caymanian called “multi generational Caymanian”. Can someone please tell me which law this category is included in?

    • Anonymous says:

      I don’t believe there is a law, but there is such a thing.

      • Anonymous says:

        You’re right 9:18. Former Commissioner of Police Buel Braggs was “such a thing”. It all ended in tears though when he was AWOL after Ivan and had to be retired on hugely beneficial terms to minimize embarrassment.

        • Anonymous says:

          Spot the racist comment. Apparently we are supposed regard all Caymanians who could potentially hold the position of CoP based on the performance of one 10 years ago. Why don’t we apply the same standard to the incompetent Brits who have held key positions?

    • Anonymous says:

      We know who we are. Do you know who you are?

    • Anonymous says:

      The Driftwood Discrimination Act.

    • Kent says:

      I removed the question that seems so offensive to people who are offended by the fact that there are those of us who are proud to have history in our forefathers that reach back beyond the days of plenty. I never ment to demean anyone, but rather see if there was a difference of opinion between various groups of people who enjoy this wonderful place we call Cayman.

      I will say that at the detriment of no one, am proud of my families heritage, and I am a result of that, I am Caymanian, born from Caymanians who lived in the days of iron men and wood ships. I will never apologize for that, nor will I allow anyone to erase it.

      My history is different from yours, embrace that. It doesn’t make one better than the other, but it does make us different. And being different is what make Cayman great! We can, with all of our differences, unify under the love of our home, Cayman.

      Take care.

      Kent

      • Anonymous says:

        Once again Kent, Caymanians bend, twist and acquiesce to accommodate others. Caymanians know what you mean by multi-generational.

        Your distinction is very relevant and not discriminatory because it would be helpful to know how people who have been here for generations during the times when police and the community enjoyed a relationship of respect and trust view the leadership now. As opposed to people who have acquired citizenship arguably more recently who would bring other experiences and expectations to the table.

        But weak minded people find reasons to be offended. Ask those Europeans amongst us who I bet are the main complainers how those human rights are working out for them right about now?

        People need to toughen up and stop being so petty.

        You could have perhaps provided an explanation as to why you used the terminology but no need to apologise or pull it good sir.

        From an un-offended fellow multi-generational Caymanian with a non-Caymanian parent.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Baines, and the Governor are failing miserably. But to be honest, so are our local powers that be! And we all are paying dearly for their failure!

    • Das Twink says:

      To be fair, they have finally just settled in and accepted that this is the local standard and adopted it!

  21. Anonymous says:

    The survey is very bias. Why is Baines the only person being held accountable? Baines didn’t even know about the missing boat until the next morning according to reports. It was a Caymanian in charge but of course as usual blame the expat.

    The blame for the missing boat lies with the adults in that situation and what about the fisherman that saw them? Can’t blame them either because they are Caymanians?

    We need to stop blaming and start fixing problems. How many people actually help the police with anything? How about some neighborhood watch programs?

    • Anonymous says:

      He didn’t know about the missing boat until the next morning??? Seriously something as important as that and he had no knowledge when half of Cayman did?? That shows a total disconnect from his officers..Incompetence at its best..The buck has to stop somewhere and Baines would have shown he had balls by stepping up to the plate and taken a little responsibility..

    • Kent says:

      The survey is about him, because he is the “commissioner of Police”, he is the man in charge. Who would you suggest be the focus?

      The author of the survey is bias, I do not believe Baines is worthy nor capable of being in charge of our police force.

      In each question regardless of how bias, there is opportunity to submit a positive view.

      Regards

      Kent

      • Anonymous says:

        Cayman would be a whole lot better if people just focused (yes, I ended a word with “ed” for past tense) on their own responsibilities rather than focusing (yes, “ing” for present tense) on what they perceive to be other people’s short-comings.

        And for f$3k! sake, try to put “ed” onto the end of “bias” now and again.

        • Anonymous says:

          Kent, the bias that I saw in your survey is most evident in question 6. There is one “positive” answer offered, requiring the reader to wholeheartedly support the commissioner without question, one quasi-neutral answer suggesting he needs more money (that will go down well!) , and four essentially negative answers. This makes your questionnaire even more dubious than the inherent lack of worth of such non-scientific polls.

          It is fine to have your own (evident) lack of respect for the man, but by structuring your questionnaire in such a blatantly biasED manner, you are, in my opinion, demonstrating a lack of objectivity and fairness.

          Truthseeker

  22. Anonymous says:

    The governor needs to go too

  23. Dragnet says:

    Baines is failing the RCIPS as a leader. Gold Command must be held accountable for the catalogue of mistakes.

    Governor Kilpatrick as his boss is doing even worse by making excuses for her “Teflon Don”. All of our MLA’s cannot sit in silence anymore do something for your constituents and speak up 15 hrs to show up to a crime scene is ridiculous

    • Anonymous says:

      Let them go, I am sure it will come as quite a relief. Now it is time for Cayman to step up to the plate and the MLA’s should fill the void and even patrol in a citizen capacity if necessary.
      You can have the FBI, Mossad, Starsky and Hutch in control of the police but on the ground, it would still be a shit show.
      Either do it yourselves or bring in UK bobbies and a UK judicial system.

      • Anonymous says:

        Do it yourself – that would be something sit back and watch

      • Anonymous says:

        We need to take an objective view of this situation………crime in Cayman has grown faster than the RCIPS force.
        Whose fault is that? The lack of a structured, caring family environment.
        The break-ins at the G.T. Police Station is an indication that our officers are on the street, but also, funding needs to be approved for improving the security of that facility. I would certainly not like to be a police officer at this time. Thieves are targeting their every effort…….so is the public……and politicians!
        Lastly, in the words of my late father, Sir Vassel Johnson, there are certain Departments of Government that are not best suited to having a local person as head of department…..one of those is RCIPS.
        Why? There are too many family intricacies within the Cayman Islands in order for a local person to do the job without predjudice.
        Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts (and that of my Dad!)

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