Bahamas Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles has declared herself uninformed about serious allegations made by an Andros resident concerning extended detention without charge, despite extensive media coverage and public discussion of the case connected to a sitting Member of Parliament.
Commissioner Knowles, speaking during the 2025 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade festivities, stated she had not received any briefing regarding Zakari Campbell’s claims but emphasized standard police protocols require officers to inform detainees of custody reasons. “I don’t know about that case, but everyone who comes into custody is told of the reason why they are in custody,” Knowles told reporters. “One of the greatest powers of arrest of the police is the suspicion, and when anyone comes into custody, a detention record is made.”
The controversy stems from detailed allegations published by Campbell on social media and subsequently covered by multiple Tribune reports. According to his account, the incident began with a Friday night gathering at Round Two bar where the MP was present. Campbell described how the establishment’s manager attempted to close around 2am but claimed the politician “objected and signalled the DJ to continue playing.” The group reportedly departed thirty minutes later without any property concerns being raised.
Campbell asserts he learned the following day that police were reviewing security footage after the MP reported having “lost something.” On Monday, officers arrived at Campbell’s workplace—where he had recently begun employment handling substantial cash amounts—and took him into custody. He maintains that although police referenced a search warrant for “stolen property” connected to the bar, they refused to specify what item was allegedly taken.
Following a search of his home in his mother’s presence that yielded nothing, Campbell was transported to the police station. There, he noticed another patron from the bar in a holding cell and claims officers first accused him of taking the MP’s firearm. Despite denying any knowledge of a weapon, Campbell was placed in a cell without information regarding his detention duration.
He was ultimately released at 4:50pm the next day after his mother’s intervention, having spent over 24 hours in custody without formal charges, explanation, or apology. “This is not about drama,” Campbell wrote. “This is about power, protection and the unequal application of the law.”
The Member of Parliament central to these allegations has not responded to numerous calls or requests for comment from media outlets.