by Bennette Roach

With suspicions surrounding public service decisions, demotes two police Inspectors

She was the Police officer/Inspector who when she arrived on the scene held back RMPS Sgt. Ottley Laborde, later accused of threatening language, disorderly conduct and assault. Laborde was subsequently acquitted on the more serious charges, after being convicted, appealed and retried. The magistrate who presided at the retrial, (see The Montserrat Reporter (TMR) of Jan. 24) recorded, “civilian…restrain the defendant, with help from the defendant’s colleague Insp. Semper, who had just arrived at PHQ.”

Governor Adrian Davis is featured again, this time for demoting Inspector Derona Semper and another to the rank of Sergeant following an extended probation past two years. The Governor wrote on October 9, 2013, three weeks after the Inspector drew attention of RMPS management that her probation had, “…expired on 15 September 2013. In consultation with the Commissioner of Police, IT has been extended to January 31, 2014. Therefore, your official appointment to the substantive rank will be postponed until the satisfactory completion of the extension of your probation.”

This followed an annual evaluation in April, 2013 as follows: Performance appraisal; 2012/2013. On April 19, 2013, Miss Semper vehemently and successfully challenged her Appraisers in a seven-page document, questioning several anomalies, bias and even competencies.

In a response dated April 29, 2013, to her challenge, top command, wrote: “…I know I come across at times as being “abrupt”. That’s because typing takes longer than I can talk… I welcome some further face to face time… I will do my best at addressing any real or perceived serious gaps in your appraisal. It is a work in progress but one I would like to get concluded as soon as possible. You should be a brain surgeon because you like dissecting the fine detail…. You’re a good Officer, hold your head high.”

TMR readers would recall a course in June/July 2013 that Insp. Semper attended in Bermuda (which came after she requested training to keep up with her competency). Upon inquiry by top command here of her performance, “Were you satisfied with Inspector Semper’s professional behavior, participation, and enthusiasm?” was the inquiry.

The response in part from Antoine Daniels BSc. FCMI Assistant Commissioner of Police, Serious Crime, says: “Miss Semper was an absolute pleasure to meet and work with. She took her time here very serious and always acted in a professional manner, taking her job seriously, was keen and seeking advice from her colleagues when she didn’t understand or wanted to enhance her knowledge.  In my view Miss Semper’s attachment was a major success.”

It is believed that the Governor was very misinformed and misled, when in his demotion letter he wrote, “The Executive Management of the RMPS and I have consulted  with regards to your permanent appointment to the rank of Inspector. It is agreed that your current state of development falls short of the competency and/or integrity threshold for an officer at such a rank.”

The Governor, all but asked the Inspectors to resign, a style that will soon famously mark his tenure. “…I consider that you are currently not likely to become an efficient or well conducted police officer while performing the duties of an Inspector…”

This particular Inspector has so far served for over 21 years, was appointed a sergeant in 2002, immediately gaining popularity when with former Deputy Commissioner, Paul Morris brought fame to Montserrat for ‘Community Policing.’ She has acted as Inspector since 2010, before being appointed on probation in 2011 September.

The shocked public on hearing the news of the demotion of Miss Semper became even more confused when ZJB government radio, reported that both the Governor and RMPS top management responded “No comment”, to questions about the demotions which included Inspector Williams. The radio station  reported not surprisingly, that other officers across the Royal Montserrat Police Service are expressing shock. Recruits who joined the force over the past four years, more so, when it is remembered that localised training of recruits was basically the brain child of Miss Semper.

A source, according to ZJB has also quoted the demoted officers as saying that it would be very difficult for them to serve alongside officers they were previously in charge of. The public deserves answers as to important issues in the land. The truth.

Miss Semper has confirmed her consultation with Attorney David Brandt since October had not received any satisfactory response to the extension of her probation. She has not commented further than to say, it has been an uphill battle to reach her goal, the top spot of her in policing. “I feel very cheated,” she said, “I know more so now as I gather my documentation, that I have been doing much more and higher work than the duties of Inspector. I have the documents to prove it. Whatever I have been accused of to have me demoted, I have not been given a hearing. That is contrary to policy,” she said.