Police chief files writ against Minister
The Commissioner of Police has filed a writ against the Minister of Labour and Training.The writ was filed on behalf of Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva by law firm Mello, Jones and Martin.Both the Minister of Labour and Training and Ralph Furbert are listed as plaintiffs.Questioned about the writ, Mr DeSilva said: “I can’t really get into it but the bottom line is it centres around the application of the Employment Act to the Bermuda Police Service.“We need a decision. We are dealing with a matter of an employee. We need a decision on which takes precedence; the Employment Act or the Police Act.”The Royal Gazette understands that the matter regards an officer who was charged with being absent without leave.According to the writ, the matter revolves around the Police (Discipline) Orders 1975, which details procedures regarding the discipline of police officers, the Police (Conditions of Service) Order 2002, and the Police Act 1974.The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which includes the Department of Labour and Training, did not responded to a request for comment as of press time, while lawyers involved in the case refused to comment.