Top cop gets royal gong
(CNS): There were no top royal gongs for Caymanians in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list but UK national David Baines, the police commissioner, bagged himself an OBE. Meanwhile, the governor named Dr Saratchandra (Sarath) de Alwis-Seneviratne for services to medicine and Thomas Magnus Wood for public service as recipients of the locally selected award the Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honour (Cert. Hon.) Baines, who has almost four decades of police experience in what were described as challenging positions in the UK, got the top royal honour with Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of services to policing in the Cayman Islands.
Although the RCIPS has had some recent successes in the fight against crime, Baines has presided over the police service at a time of mounting crime and he has faced political criticisms over the management of what are considered the extensive resources given to the RCIPS.
There have also been a number of questions raised over issues regarding the chain of evidence and a number of court cases this year that have collapsed as a result of poor police systems. The commissioner was forced to review the RCIPS policy for warrants after a justice of the peace admitted during a judicial review that he had signed a warrant without any comprehension of the alleged crime.
Baines came to the Cayman Islands in 2009 from the UK and has had his fair share of critics.Speaking about the challenges facing the RCIPS, he said, “A great many of our employees are committed to being excellent at their jobs in order to better serve the people of the Cayman Islands. Yet people tend to focus on the negative and not see the journey that we’ve been on,” he said.
See below for full details of all of the awardees.
Category: Local News
The real question is why is Baines getting a royal award for short term mediocre service when in reality there are so many others such as Mr. Kurt Walton, Mr. Marlon Bodden, Mr. Courtney "Butch" Myles who are Caymanians thathave served this country for decades of outstanding service in the police force yet they are passed over.
Commissioner Baines has had more resources than any other and has provided mediocre results.
How can the UK on one hand claim that they are true partners with the Caymanian people when they choose to overlook outstanding service from Caymanians and award mediocrity to their own instead?
Cayman and the police need meritocracy, not convention, classism, favoritism and opaque processes if we are to succeed.
I have nothing against whoever gets these awards,however Kirks nor Fosters will give them their groceries free when they produce their awards. Whats the big thing about these awards anyhow. You all are too childish. Oh and by the way leave Mr Nixon alone as he ran his Department better than any other Department and Honourable people like Mr Norman Boden saw to it that he was honoured and given his benefits. Let the man retire in dignity and try to take a few pages out of his book.
Sorry I meant to write that Kirks nor Fosters will NOT give these recipients their groceries free upon producing their awards. The awards that we need to fight for is our HEAVENLY award.
The fictional award? Not me, matey.
The queens what ? good grief.
It's interesting to check out the honours criteria on the UK government's website. Makes you wonder just how the heck Baines copped (sic!) for this award,
At least he didn't have to make a law to declare himself "honorable for life" like Caymanian Governments criteria on honours.
Great decision to award Commissioner Baines with this award. Well done Commissioner. You have done more good than any previous Commissioner and we are lucky to have you. Just ignore the nonsense that is written in these blogs as these people are jealous bigots. You thoroughly deserve this and I'm proud of you. Keep up the good work and thanks for all you do for us here.
The ONLY commisioner that Baines has done better than is Kernohan
We are lucky to have him.
Cayman is lucky to have the UK.
Oh I understand now somebody looked into a crystal ball and saw the big jewelry arrest beforehand and awarded the Gong prior to the event. Man I Neva know high science in de Mother country too ")" And Another Ting.
Do you reckon if someone showed And Another Ting a polaroid photograph of him he would be scared his soul had been captured?
Evil shall follow ya and No Other Ting
Now I have seen it all! They should give him knighthood too. After all cayman seems to be loxely with one exception, there's no Robin Hood only thugs that steals from the poor.
Awards are not supposed to be must for just doing your job — and the jury seems to be greatly divided on that score. It is supposed to be going beyond the call of duty in your job — but mainly community service outside the realms of your job.
I really question his contribution and the short time of his service — if any.
Come on — when your department is not doing well you usually don't get recognized and at such a high level.
He had to be British to pull this off.
Another sign of how differently people are treated in our Islands.
As an ea.ier blgger said, look for the splash in a local paper.
It's in recognition of 40 years of public and crown service idiot, the Cayman Islands are an insignificant part of a distinguished career. And he'd have to be British you moron, otherwise he wouldn't qualify for a British award.
And another thing, he is a British Commissioner on a British territory, get over it.
I won't resort to name calling, which is usually a sign of inability to defend one's, but the attachment to the article says that he is being awarded for services to the Cayman Islands — it does not say to the British Government — which is logical given that the last governor of the Cayman Islands made the recommendation.
That he has been awarded an OBE for four years' service is highly irregular. It is also irregular that he gets it for doing his job– about which the jury is still out.
As for being British — most people who are native to these Islands consider themselves Caymanians and not Britiah — so one does not have to be "British" in the normal sense to get an award.
I leave it to the readersto decide who is the "moron".
As predicted, I see that a local paper has an editorial extolling the virtues of the Comish. No surprise there. Note that the publisher was having a "social" conversation with the Comish.
Expect more impartial coverage.
Congratulations Commissioner. The silent majority appreciate what you are trying to do for these islands in the face of political and some public obstruction and lack of support. The same commentators who deride the award are the same people who will not help the police with information on crime but quick to criticize from their cosy armchair.
what absolute rubbish you write
Or desperately trying to get their job back.
At least this commissioner has the balls to sack a few bad eggs.
A royal award for doing a piss poor job. WTF???????? IF he had ANY level of decency he would humbly decline the award until such time as he EARNS the award. And with all that's happening with crime, that won't be anytime soon that he earns it. Only in the Cayman Islands and only with a bastard Mother country like the UK would this happen. A truly SAD day for this country!
Piss poor job catching those thieves yesterday………A hold
How ignorant are you? I am from the UK and I find your comments utterly abhorrent and downright disgraceful. Just keep your nasty thoughts to yourself in future.
Please stay there.
You ignorant moron, nobody gets such a prestigious recognition without making a serious commitment to crown, public or charitable service. Baines may not be the cure for your home grown social ills or your corrupt, greedy and envious nature, but he has served his profession and country well over the past 40 years as a police officer.
Remember, Northwood prison is full of Caymanians who commit crime against their own people. That says more about the people who make up less than 50% of the total population more than it says about Baines, or the UK for that matter. That is the real sadness for the country, it's own population turning on itself.
You are right, only in the Cayman Islands would a population, (smaller than an average small town in the UK) be so out of control. I'd rather come from a 'bastard' country with a proud history and heritage that is the envy of the modern world, than a pile of insignificant rocks that offer nothing to the world except a reputation for ineptitude, criminality and bile.
A proud hisory and heritage….HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHAAHAHA. Man y ou people have jokes. Your country is a scam. No one like your country, that is why you all are giving most of your taxes to other countries, just so you can keep some "friends". Your immigration laws are wach.. now you hav e romanians and god knows who else can come in your contry and work as they please. NO one and I mean no one in eants to be the uk. China just even told you guys that you all are insignificant.just a place to visit old buildings and go to school HAHAHAHAHAAH DWL.
Enjoy your time in Cayman , you'll soon be tax my your own mother country in here too. HAHAHAHAHAA DWL proud history my ars
For the good work with McKeeva?
I understand these were just three names on a list of people submitted by Duncan Taylor before he left but anyone considered to qualify as a 'local' was passed over. Baines got an OBE while people who have served the local communities for decades were denied well-deserved awards.
This sucks!
But aren't there a host of local shiny badges too for them? Mac invented them. And after all they will get to be "national" heroes and have something named after them.
So again Caymanians have to settle for second best while a temporary import walks off with the real honours?
The "temporary import" has to be given extra credit for the sacrifices of having to move to a territory.
What sacrifices? Having a cushy job and living in warm climate rather than grey, gloomy England? You must be joking. Best job he ever had.
There is a reason most people need to be paid more to live in Cayman. It is a cultural wasteland and Grand Cayman is a pretty drab featureless island by Caribbean standards. The weather is great for six months, not so much the rest of the time, unless you are a lizard.
In the UK we call retired police officers who take on new jobs 're-treads'.
Doesn't anyone wonder why Baines retired as an Assistant Chief Constable with Cheshire Constabulary after only doing just over 3 years in the job? That's a lot less than the expected ToD at that level.
Another old boys network worthless award. I mean really when is the UK ever going to stop this colonial stupid attitude. So what if Baines has an OBE? I would much rather see RESULTS, on what he is paid to do so I don't have to live in fear that I will be the victim of the next armed robbery and I can't shoot back.
Oh dear Jesus! It will be Lord Dart of Camana Bay and Sir David Legge next.
Is this a joke?
Excellent!! Happy for Commssioner Baines. Well Deserved!
For all you haters, step up and help fight crime then, Lets see you do any better!
It is his JOB to fight crime. He is PAID for his service, such as it is.
12;44
Give us the authority then! I can not say he is not doing a great job. He just needs to change his strategy.
We have to remember this is the Cayman Islands where the two sides of government are very vain and conceited . Official and elect. His hands might be tied..who knows!!!!
Great news for both the island and the RCIPS – congratulations Mr. Baines. This is totally deserved and you should be proud of your achievement. Well done.
Formula to receiving an OBE:
1. apply to work on an island where north is south and south is west
2. arrive on island and open mouth wide open that crime is perpetrated by only a select few, a select few that supposedly are known to you
3. do nothing, and more importantly be unable to control the select few identified above in point #2
4. demoralize the entire police force with willy-nilly leadership, selective enforcement of rules, etc.
5. run the force as a midlde-age fiefdom – the ones at the top can do no wrong, the ones on the bottom can do no right – on occasion, allow the ones on the top to beat the ones on the bottom into submission, as a reminder as to who is on top
5. demoralize the population by allowing 1/2 of the inept/corrupt/lazy police officers to remain on the force, using police cruisers as their personal toys, taxis, jerk-chicken pick-up vehicles, etc. all the while doing everything else but enforcing the law
6. take pretty pictures at various functionswhere food and booze are free
7. arrive late to an arrest, after suspected criminal was chased into a coma by a $3/hour security guard – ensure that media publishes smug photo front page – take full credit for the arrest
8. be choosy as to the wording and statistics that are released to the press – example: crime 99% down – omit the fact that you were referring to crime by pregnant squirrels
9. brag about your success, even if no such success is evident
10. suck up to the governor and receive an extended vacation
11. receive an OBE because…because nothing…that'sjust the way things are done!
Happy New Year Cayman!!!
Didn't get #1.
I meant where things are a bit topsy turvy to begin with…
I never thought Governor Duncan Taylor would insult Caymanians in this way. Very sad.
Duncan, why did you foresake us? Who else was nominated? Cronyism went to the top- how very sad. I believe in the OBE award and it's history of great men and women. Sadly, Baines is no where near deserving.
Apparently a number of local residents, both born and papered Caymanians, with decades of service to the local community were also put forward for awards but passed over when it went through the FCO. As someone already posted – this sucks.
I think this is a deliberate insult to the people of Cayman by the UK.
Well done and thoroughly deserved.
Good gracious Bull, you came out of your kennel to post this? I would have stayed put if I were you, old chap. Pip! Pip!
It is so nice to see I am still under your skin. It is a little disappointing that you did manage to find a life in the interim.
As you realise, I found a life, Bull, and it is certainly not one that is under your skin. I'm sorry you are disappointed in my new found happiness but into each life etc etc.
Hello one trick pony. Not glue yet? Surprised.
Very odd. Normally you need to put in years of continuous service to society to get an OBE but the press release reads like it relates to just the four years he put in as CoP and all the odd jobs he's taken on. There's nothing there to really justify the award.
Ah well, it will look good on his CV when he leaves – hopefully fairly soon.
I could think of many Hard working Caymanians who deserved it much more. Another Slap in the face. Unbelievable.
You should get a gong for services to self pity.
I wonder how this persons chooses which words to capitalise?
Where emphasis intended.
Of Course he got a gong. He is doing the job he was placed here to do. Surpress the natives…allow crime to run rampid…and fleese the good people of these islands for every extra dime we have allowing us to be more easily controled by our masters. Wake Up People!
Other Buggers Efforts! Nice to see that Duncan did him well!
Oh the cocktail circuit will be so pleased.
Oh, say it ain't so. I bet there will be much joy in Bethlehem.
And watch out for the splash in a local paper.
The cocktail circuit must have also truly celebrated the gong given to Bush, for what whatever he did. If you study the gong award programme in Cayman you will note much has gone to friends of politicians whose contribution has been ziltch. Those that criticize need look at the old gong programme and check out who got what.
The real people who do the most and never think about gongs are right in the public eye. We know who they are and they are happy to be incognito.
In conclusion well done Commissioner Baines and I for one am is happy to support you and your team. If you got more support from the public at large it would make a large difference to society.
So the accountability that you often call for does not apply in this case?
Baines is just another civil servant doing a crap job, in spite of the vast outlay of public funds.
Of course not. He is a fellow Englishman. Accountability only applies to Caymanians.
To those that know, 'accountability' and 'Caymanian' are uneasy bedfellows.
In light of what took place this morning I suggest you apologize to the Commissioner and have the balls to give your name. Comments like yours are asinine. See the Oxford Dictionary to figure out what that means.
His actions yesterday, while praiseworthy, do not change the fact that he manages a poorly performing, overfunded unit of the civil service. I find it curious that you are not concerned by this, given your usual pronouncements on such matters.
Please try to respond on a rational level and refrain from personal attacks.
From looking at your response to the emails of Chris Johnson. I find that he at least has the balls to say who he is whilst you are unable to put together a meaningful and constructive sentence. It rather looks like you do not know how to log in to compose a reasonably composed response. It isnot difficult and no doubt CNS will help you do it. Finally why not give Chris a call to discuss your point. I know him and his no is XXXX. My guess is that you will not do it.
CNS: If people want to post their own phone numbers they can but please don't post other people's.
How do you do personal attacks on anonymous people?
Chris, are you looking for a gong too..Baines shouldn't be getting one for doing his job. These should be for people like Tommy Wood that actually do something outsideo ftheir work as well to benefit the country..What has Baines done..When was the last time you say him hanging around with any Caymanians or doing anything to benefit Cayman in genreal..
Saw him at Kaibo yesterday and the Limeys were as thick as flies around him.
Anonymous not a bright response to the comments of Chris Johnson. You should have the balls to identify yourself. Over and out.
Conch na go no bone. and Another Ting.
Lol!
Ah boy … dearest ol' UK!
You guys have outdone yourselves this time!! Lol!
However, you are normally much more efficient and sneaky when it comes to your every day colonial "politricks" – this is very much a misstep. Is the FCO's tactical director on leave??
Anyway, Baines has now joined an exclusive club which includes many a racist and many a convicted / currently investigated pedophile e.g. Dennis Greenhill, Stuart Hall, Jimmy ("Short-Shorts") Saville.
Good on ya' son!!
(Btw, spread the word … Whodatis is still around. Try again.)
Happy New Year to each and every one!
🙂
Oh God… I find myself totally agreeing with Whodatis. It must be the end of the world, or at least the end of a long year.
10;38
Its the truth and reality waken up in you!!
We all have to face these one day!!
Caymanian with his record of achievement would have been terminated, not honoured.
This is an outrage, despicable and sinister. Guess what you all can't smell the spoilt breast milk go on, continue believing that Mother Loves Us. This just goes to show us that we must take whatever is thrown at us, pretty soon you will hear even more frightening news.
We really need God in these Islands. And Another Tong.
When you have a point, you have a point – can't argue with that. However, come New Year, what you may wish to keep in mind is that pretty much all governments are corrupt, amoral, venal, underhanded, and tinged by various degrees of despotism; not just those of the United States and the UK. So once in a while, spread the joy around – don't be soexclusively focused on those two governments alone; just my suggestion. Happy New Year!
Can't really disagree. He joins those guys, plus quite a few leading Caymanians, all with nice gongs. Mac has OBE, Alden is an MBE, all the older politicos have something tossed to them by Her Maj's gracious government. Many more OBEs and MBEs per capita in Cayman than in the UK. Same applies to pedos sadly.
Yes CNS print or not print, this is exactly what the UK thinks about its Territory bunch a mosquitoes. Of course you'll print this. And Another Ting wait till 2014 ona hear.
At least the UK is honest enough to uncover and investigate such acts. Unlike Cayman whose misogyny, sexual abuse, child abuse, homosexuality, disabled rights, racial and sexual discrimination, drug and drink abuse and wide spread corruption is denied or hidden out of sight by hypoctical, backward looking rock hoppers like you.
The blurb on his achievements is total BS.
Visible policing indeed. LMFAO!!!
Typo. Should have said “risible policing”!
Only in Cayman. Crime is on the rise but Mr Bianes gets an award. ROFLOL
All I can say is disgusting!!! Our crime has risen, policing what a joke…have they forgotton about the person with the tracking on his ankle? Break ins, holds ups..cayman isn't safe and he gets an award….we are doomed… HAPPY NEW YEAR, or shall I say APRIL FOOL!!!
OBE for what exactly?
Total joke.
I guess we can compare Bains receiving an OBE to Trevor Ward becoming a QC?
Perhaps we can nominate Kirky for next year?
Unlike the Police, he's out there workin' it!
Kirks would be more deserving I believe! 🙂
At least Kirky would be more deserving!
Why, what did he ever really do? Apart from appearing to be wise?
At least he's worked for this not like the recent MBE handed out by Taylor just because he was invited to black tie dinners at the man's house….
WHY?
Baines has done a poor job and should never been rewarded with a new contract and OBE
David Baines? CNS you do know that today is not April 1 correct?
Is this a april fool joke headline cns ???????No caymanians for the royal gongs???THis is PRICELESS!!!!!
What you guys expect , youcurse the english and they get even with you!!!
So he exchanged his cow cod for an OBE? Well Done Mr. Baines. He can pretty it up all he wants but all we get from him his excuses after excuses why he cant deal with crime. I guess OBE means One Bad Excuse.
This is disgraceful. Baines has done a poor job here and gets an OBE? Someone cooked the books on the nomination that's all I can think of!? The truth is that he is a failure as head of the police here…. Period.
From Prospect
Next year he'll get the MBE.. More Bad Excuses!!
An OBE is higher than an MBE. The next one in line would be a CBE.