The Royal Bahamas Police Force has initiated a formal investigation following the emergence of a viral TikTok video that allegedly depicts a police officer attempting to solicit a bribe from a tourist during a traffic stop. The three-minute footage, which surfaced on Sunday and rapidly gained widespread attention, shows officers conducting a roadside checkpoint near St Matthew’s Anglican Church on Shirley Street.
In the controversial clip, an officer identified by badge number 4438 is seen interacting with a tourist from Miami who was riding a rented scooter. The officer claims the vehicle was damaged and suggests providing a ‘break’ from receiving a formal ticket. The footage captures the officer proposing an alternative arrangement, explicitly stating, ‘It can’t be obvious. Too much people around,’ while directing the tourist to move out of view of other personnel.
The video’s poster, who recorded the entire encounter, captioned the footage with a warning to other tourists about potential misconduct. The individual later confirmed on TikTok that no money was ultimately exchanged, writing: ‘Officer didn’t get one penny outta me. I’ll play stupid and run circles around you.’
Public reaction has been overwhelmingly critical, with many Bahamians expressing outrage at what they perceive as brazen corruption within the police force. In an official response, the Royal Bahamas Police Force stated that any alleged conduct captured in the video does not reflect their standards of professionalism. The investigation remains ongoing, with no confirmation yet regarding potential suspensions of involved officers.