When PAM was in power Labourites said, “De police force full a politics.” Now labour is in power, Pamites say, “Lawd too much politics in a de force.” How then can we rid the police force of politics? It seems to me, PAM or Labour, we cannot eliminate politics from the police force.
It is best in my opinion to demand accountability, commitment, fair play, productivity and professionalism as I see no one who could take politics from the police force.
The men and women who are serving in the police force are just like you and I. They are entitled to their own political beliefs. Certainly, there will be police officers who support PAM and are expected to be faithful. In much the same way, there will be police officers who support Labour and are expected to be loyal. In Nevis the same exist; there will be police officers who support CCM, and others NRP, and must therefore show their loyalty. The challenge for the police then, is to endeavour at all times to keep partisan politics away from their duty.
While it is natural for the men and women of the force to have their own political beliefs, at the same time, the Commissioner of Police and the police force in general are obligated to be loyal to the government of the day. No PAM, Labour, CCM or NRP Government law and order agenda can be effective without the support and loyalty of the Commissioner of Police and the force in general.
In Nevis, no CCM or NRP law and order programs can be effective without the loyalty and support of the officer in charge of the police and the policemen posted on Nevis.
If you doubt my claim on the obligation of the police to be loyal, this is what section 85 (1) of the constitution says about the Chief of Police and his Deputy: “Before the Police Service Commission makes any recommendation to the Governor-General with respect to the appointment of any person to hold the office of Chief of Police or Deputy Chief of Police, the Commission shall consult with the Prime Minister and if the Prime Minister signifies his objection to the appointment of any person to the office, the Commission shall not recommend to the Governor-General to appoint that person.”
This tells me the PM must decide who will serve as Commissioner of Police and no matter what under this provision, the Commissioner of Police in turn is obligated to be loyal to the Government of the day and by extension the PM.
As Prime Minister, Dr. Kennedy Simmonds would have been foolish to give his blessings on a Commissioner of Police and Deputy who will not be loyal to the PAM Administration. In much the same way, Dr. Denzil Douglas will be just as foolish if he gives his blessings on a Commissioner of Police and Deputy who would not be loyal to the Labour Administration.
If the Police Service Commission is appointed on the recommendation or advice of the Prime Minister, there must be some level of loyalty. If the Commission in turn appoints the Commissioner of Police after consulting with the PM, similarly there must be loyalty, not necessarily to the Police Service Commission but to the Government of the day headed by the PM.
The truth is, no PAM, Labour, CCM, NRP Government or any other leader can lead effectively without loyalty, and this clearly is the intent of sections 77 (1) a, and 85 (1) of the constitution which gave Dr. Simmonds then, and Dr. Douglas now, some say in who serves on the Police Service Commission and who is appointed to the post of the Commissioner of Police.
President Obama must have a say in choosing his Generals as he expects loyalty. The same is true for the PM of St. Kitts and Nevis, who must have a say in selecting one of his leading national security officers in the person of the Commissioner of Police.
So, to all those who wish to see an end to politics in the police force, this is wishful thinking, politics in the police force is there to stay. For now, our time will be better utilized calling for accountability, commitment, fair play, productivity and professionalism in the police force.
