BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – INCOMING Commissioner of Police (COP) Celvin Geron 'CG' Walwyn has promised that within 30 days of assuming command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) there will be a significant change in the organsiation’s modus operandi.
The 53-year-old native of St. Kitts-Nevis was announced as the successor of sitting Commissioner Austin Williams in early July; however, the official date of transfer of power and responsibilities has yet to be announced by the powers that be.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes however, Walwyn - who has a wealth of experience in law enforcement – indicated that he has already tendered his resignation from his current place of employ in Orlando Florida and is scheduled to arrive in St. Kitts-Nevis on Sunday (Aug. 21).
The person who holds the office of the Commissioner of Police has – unarguably – an enormous task to effectively manage the main law enforcement body which has the responsibility of maintaining law and order in the land while ensuring the safety of residents and visitors to the Federation is maintained.
The incoming Commissioner expressed to this publication that fighting crime and reducing the levels of crime could not be accomplished by the police alone, but rather through an amalgam of police and community efforts.
“Reducing crime is going to have to take team work. It is going to involve rebuilding the confidence of the public in the police. The citizens must feel that they are in partnership with the police, and if we don’t regain that we are going to have issues. So, one of the things that we intend to do is to regain the trust of the community. Crime is not solved by the police alone, it’s everybody’s business! But we have to be able spread the vision…get the people to understand what it is that we are doing.”
Walwyn explained that a reduction in crime would not take place “overnight”, especially since the escalation of crime transpired over an extended period of time.
“…we cannot expect to have it quashed overnight” he expressed, adding, however, that there are specific strategies which would be implemented in order to build community-confidence in the police which would lead to a reduction in crime.
“There will be strategies that will be implemented, and in the first 30 days you will be able to see a difference in the way that the police operate. But I cannot tell you exactly what they are. Because, just as there are measures to combat crime, when we are speaking publicly about what you are going to do, those who against whom you are going will make measures against what you are trying to do…We have definite plans to go into the community and we have definite plans on how we can reduce crime.”
CG Walwyn migrated from St. Kitts when he was only 13 years of age and spent most of his adult life in the United States of America, much of which was dedicated to fighting crime.
He told this publication that the transition from fighting crime in the USA to fighting crime in St. Kitts-Nevis would be a seamless one.
“I don’t think there is a difference here and crime there. Fighting crime anywhere has to do with finding the criminals and stopping the criminal activity. And when you find the criminals, you must be able to put your evidence together to get a prosecution.
“As far as me being away from home for a long time…I was in St. Kitts two weeks ago, I was in St. Kitts in June for my mom’s funeral, I was in St. Kitts the year before that, I was in St. Kitts every year before 2008 and now. So, I am always back and forth in St. Kitts and I have been doing things to try to help St. Kitts police…”
Describing himself as open, the incoming top cop said he when he takes command of the police force he would willingly speak to the media on pertinent issues, but noted that once a matter is under investigation he would – of course – not divulge certain pieces of information.
While no confirmation has been given, SKNVibes understands that Walwyn is likely to take command of the RSCNPF within one month’s time.
