The Permanent Secretary - Bahamas Immigration Department

Mr. Ellison Greenslade, C.D. QPM, Dr. h.c., MBA

Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Immigration and National Insurance

Ellison Edroy Greenslade was appointed a Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Office of the Prime Minister, with deployment to the Ministry of Immigration and National Insurance, effective 12 February 2024. In this role, he is responsible to the Minister of Immigration and National Insurance for the supervision and direction of the Ministry’s headquarters, the Bahamas Immigration Department (BID), and the National Insurance Board (NIB) of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Prior to this latest appointment, PS Greenslade served as the non-resident Ambassador Designate to South Africa and southeastern African countries. He assumed this role on 1 December 2022 after completing a five-year assignment in the United Kingdom, where he served as the Resident High Commissioner to Great Britain and Northern Ireland and as non-resident Ambassador to Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Greece, Malta, and Ireland.

PS Greenslade is a retired Commissioner of Police of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF). On 4 January 2010, upon completion of a one-year secondment with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Canada, he was appointed the sixth Commissioner of Police in an independent Bahamas. Soon after his appointment, he was elected President of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) and was re-elected for two consecutive terms.

PS Greenslade joined the Senior Executive Leadership Team (SELT) of the RBPF upon being promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police in July 2000, after serving in several divisional command positions. Upon his promotion, he was transferred to Freeport, Grand Bahama, where he led a team of 430 sworn officers, 120 reservists, and 15 civilian support staff members. His portfolio for the Northern Bahamas included Grand Bahama, Abaco, Bimini, and the Berry Islands. He spent seven years in this post, earning the distinction of being the longest-serving District Commander for the Northern Bahamas.

During his tenure in the Northern Bahamas, he received national acclaim for his leadership during the investigations into the mysterious disappearance of five young boys and for leading search and rescue operations in the aftermath of Hurricanes Frances (2004), Jeanne (2004), and Wilma (2005).

Beyond his operational accomplishments, PS Greenslade is highly regarded for his leadership and pioneering role in the automation of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. He also has to his credit the design and production of the first credit card-sized driver’s license for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Born in Nassau, Bahamas, PS Greenslade attended primary schools in Cedar Harbor, Abaco; Lovely Bay, Acklins; Kemp’s Bay, Andros; Knowles Cat Island; and Stephen Dillette and Jordan Memorial Schools in Nassau. He received his high school education at the Government High School in Nassau, New Providence.

During the summer of 1979, he entered the Bahamas Police Academy as a recruit constable. In November of the same year, he graduated at the top of his class, winning the coveted Baton of Honor. Upon graduation, PS Greenslade continued his studies on a part-time basis and subsequently obtained an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from The College of The Bahamas. He later completed a number of executive-level professional courses in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States of America. These included Senior Police Administration (SPAC – RCMP Canada, 1994), International Commanders Programme (ICP – Bramshill, UK, 1997), International Strategic Leadership Programme (ISLP – Bramshill, UK, 2005), and a wide range of other law enforcement courses in the USA.

PS Greenslade is the holder of a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Miami, graduating with honors in 1997. He also holds a postgraduate certificate in police management and criminal justice from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom. On 12 June 2011, PS Greenslade was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree by Sojourner–Douglas College, Baltimore, USA, for exemplary police leadership and contributions to the communities of The Bahamas.

Throughout his career, PS Greenslade has received several honors, including the Bahamas’ Companion of Distinction (C.D.), the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) for distinguished police service, and the Prime Minister’s “Above and Beyond” Award. He is also the recipient of the Police Force’s medals for gallantry, meritorious service, long service, and good conduct.

In 2003, PS Greenslade was selected Boss of the Year for the Island of Grand Bahama. In early 2006, he received the communications and leadership award from Toastmasters International for exemplary leadership. In October 2006, he was commended by His Excellency the Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas for distinguished service in saving lives during a natural disaster.

PS Greenslade holds membership in the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and in October 2017 he was appointed International Vice President of that distinguished law enforcement organization, marking a first for The Bahamas and the Caribbean.

He is a Distinguished President with the Kiwanis Clubs of The Bahamas and was named Kiwanian of the Year in 2005. He has also served as a Trustee of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Dependants Trust and as a member of the Advisory Board of The Salvation Army, Bahamas.

PS Greenslade is married to Kimberley Michelle Greenslade, née Morley, and is the proud father of one daughter and four sons.