He also called for an investigation into the entire national security organization.
“There are corrupt members of the Defence Force,” said Mr. Rolle, a staff intelligence officer. “All are not corrupt, but there are many corrupt men on the force.”
The government-appointed commission is investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of three packages of cocaine following their seizure by HMBS Inagua crew members on June 20, 1992.
When asked by Lead Counsel Dennis Morrison to explain his meaning of contamination, Mr. Rolle reiterated that the Defence Force is “corrupt.”
He added that it is commonly said among the officers and marines that the only way to be promoted is if one is corrupt.
Mr. Rolle said this sends a “very bad signal.”
Although saying that he welcomes the commission, the senior officer said he is “disappointed” that the commission is dealing with the Lorequin incident in isolation.
“I think the commission should have been mandated to deal with the whole Defence Force,” Mr. Rolle said. “The reason I say that is because to deal with one matter still means that contamination will still remain.”
Mr. Rolle echoed the sentiments of Lieutenant Philip Clarke, who said last week that the commission is 12 years too late. Mr. Rolle, however, said it’s better late than never.
Attorney Wayne Munroe, who represents all of HMBS crew except the captain, said he finds it shocking when Mr. Rolle speaks of corruption for advancement when his department is charged with writing reports before any marine or officer is advanced.
Mr. Rolle said he only writes intelligence reports on officers and marines occasionally.
He informed the commission that the promotion board sends the names of only “one or two” persons for him to investigate.
Mr. Rolle said when Leon Smith was Commodore of the Defence Force, he usually sent him a list of officers to “check out,” but he no longer receives that list.
Mr. Rolle disclosed that he doesn’t feel he is able to function properly in his position because of “restrictions imposed by the present command.” The Defence Force is now lead by Commodore Davey Rolle.
Meanwhile, Mr. Rolle admitted that he wrote a report on one of his men, Able Seaman Wayne Williams, who was an Intelligence Officer placed on HMBS Inagua.
Mr. Rolle said he had Mr. Williams’ promotion placed on hold and had him transferred from the Intelligence Branch following the Lorequin incident.
He explained, “Once you were believed to be involved in certain things, [I] tried to keep the section or department as clean as possible.”
Asked by Commissioner Sir Albert Miller if up to the time of the Lorequin incident he had a high opinion of Mr. Williams, Mr. Rolle said, “yes sir.”
The senior officer said a report was not written as it was not necessary to justify a “job change.”
Pressed by Sir Albert about the transfer, Mr. Rolle admitted that Mr. Williams was transferred under a “cloud.”
Later during his testimony, Sir Albert scolded Mr. Rolle for not being consistent after the senior officer changed his testimony, stating that he writes reports on anyone he regards as corrupt.
“You transferred Williams from the Intelligence Branch because he was corrupt,” Sir Albert said. “In other words, the section where he was transferred, his commanding officer should know why you transferred him, ‘keep an eye on him.'”
Mr. Rolle responded by saying he spoke to then Commodore Smith about Mr. Williams who instructed him to have the marine transferred. However, Sir Albert chastised Mr. Rolle, emphasizing that there are things that are too important to be left to word of mouth.
The witness said Mr. Williams was not recommended to be dismissed as there was insufficient evidence against him.
Additionally, Mr. Rolle denied allegations that he instructed anyone to change the record of the final count of drugs from 193 to 190, after he returned from the police drug storage unit during the early morning hours of June 22, 1992.
Lieutenant Commander Philip Clarke told the commission last week that he was asked by Mr. Rolle to change the count of drugs.
According to Lieutenant Clarke and Mr. Rolle, both defence and police force officers agreed that there were 193 packages of cocaine counted before they left the Defence Force Base.
Mr. Rolle said he informed Lieutenant Clarke that he should make a note in his log indicating that the count at the police compound was 190.
Lieutenant Clarke said he refused to change the figure.
Mr. Rolle also denied making any alterations to the Duty Operation’s log book as it is not accessible to him.
The commission of inquiry continues today.
Hadassah Hall, The Bahama Journal
