Mr. Salathiel Thompson is originally from a small settlement called Bannerman Town, Eleuthera, which was named after one of the Governors of 1800s. Upon completing Eastern Senior School in Nassau, he joined the Police Force on October 11, 1937. In August 1938, PC Thompson was posted to CID here he served for 15 years. There he was able to garner a good understanding of investigations. He progressed from Constable to Sergeant while working in this department. He then went on to the Magistrate's Court serving as a Prosecuting Sergeant from February 1, 1953 to July 26, 1955. According to his peers,, he excelled in this capacity.

After leaving the court, he was attached to the Police Training School where he was able to impart much knowledge to the recruits. He worked at the school until 1957. A short time later, he was sent on a prosecutor's course in Jamaica. Upon his return to Nassau, he spent a second stint as a prosecutor of the court.

When he entered the gazetted ranks, Mr. Thompson was posted first at Southern Division as Officer-in-Charge and later to Central Division. On July 7, 1965, he was promoted to Superintendent and became Superintendent of New Providence District.

He was then transferred to Grand Bahama as Officer-in-Charge of that Division. He returned to Nassau for over a year, only to return to Grand Bahama as commanding officer until October 1971. At this point, he had already been promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner. He was soon transferred back to Nassau where he was appointed Commissioner of Police on June 1, 1973. As a result of this appointment, he became the first Bahamian Commissioner of Police in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. He succeeded Mr. John H. Hinmarsh of Britain.

During his tenure, he received may commendations and awards, including: the Colonial Police Long Service Award, the Colonial Police Meritorious Service Award and the Queen's Police Medal. He was also named a Member of the Royal Victorian Order in 1975. This award was presented to him by Her Majesty The Queen during her visit to The Bahamas. Mr. Thompson also received the Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George in 1978, and was awarded the local Bahamian Order Merit.

Mr Thompson died on October 21, 2002 at the age of eighty-four.