Nassau, Bahamas – Top Royal Bahamas Police Force leadership figure Commissioner Shanta Knowles has publicly pushed back against swirling unsubstantiated rumors that she is on the verge of stepping down from her post, clarifying her official intent to remain in the role until she reaches formal retirement eligibility, with no immediate plans to leave active duty. Addressing reporters during a recent media availability when asked about widespread public chatter of an imminent senior leadership shakeup within the national police agency, Knowles stated, “I have received no credible information to support those claims myself. If any member of the public or the press holds verified details related to such a purported shakeup, I invite them to share that information directly with me. For my part, I will continue to fulfill my duties as Commissioner of Police until the day I choose to step away for retirement – and that day has not arrived.”
Knowles made history earlier this year when she was sworn in as the first woman to ever hold the top policing post in the Bahamas, ascending to the role in early 2025 in the wake of a high-profile U.S. federal indictment that laid out damning, explosive allegations of systemic corruption within the ranks of the national police force. A 30-plus year veteran of law enforcement in the country, her tenure to date has already delivered a marked, measurable drop in national homicide rates, even as persistent public grievances over alleged police misconduct remain a key point of community concern.
The latest high-profile allegation of improper police conduct surfaced earlier this month, when 23-year-old mother Lewratta Farisien came forward to publicly denounce the handling of her domestic assault report by officers stationed at the East Street South Police Station. Farisien claims that responding officers initially refused to formally document her complaint that she had been physically assaulted by her son’s father and the woman’s aunt, and even after the two alleged attackers were formally charged in connection with the assault, the same officers began subjecting her to targeted harassment. If Farisien’s account is fully corroborated, the actions of the officers involved would represent a clear violation of the 2023 Protection Against Violence Act, landmark legislation drafted specifically to overhaul institutional responses to survivors of violent harm and ensure proper, respectful treatment for all people reporting abuse.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force previously labeled Farisien’s allegations deeply concerning and launched a formal internal investigation into the incident, and Knowles confirmed during her Friday media briefing that the probe remains active and ongoing. She noted that the force’s dedicated Complaints and Corruption Unit is leading the review, which includes a full audit to confirm whether the responding officers followed all official, established force policies during their interactions with Farisien. “Once the Complaints and Corruption Unit finalizes their full investigative report and submits their findings to my office, we will take appropriate, decisive action to address any confirmed breaches of policy,” Knowles confirmed.
In tandem with her update on the investigation, Knowles issued a public, community-wide appeal urging all survivors of domestic violence across the Bahamas to come forward and report their experiences to law enforcement, even if they fear reaching out on their own. She also called on community members who are aware of neighbors, friends, or family members trapped in abusive domestic situations to act as allies and notify police so that trained support teams can step in to deliver critical protection and resources to at-risk victims.
Commissioner rejects rumours of departure
