BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – COMMISSIONER of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF), Austin Williams has berated the Permanent Secretary (PS) within the Ministry of National Security, Astona Browne, for allegedly levelling unfounded accusations against his office and the High Command.
In a letter to the PS, dated June 29, 2011 and copied to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Financial Secretary, DCP, ACP’s and FFO, the ‘Top Cop’ said, “Please permit me the use of this medium to express my displeasure to your many unreasonable and unfounded accusation levied against the office of the Commissioner of Police and the High Command of the Police Force. As well the insensitive tone of your correspondence shows utter disregard and lack of respect for the Office of Commissioner of Police and the High Command by extension.”
According to the letter, Williams was responding to a correspondence sent to him by the PS, which he received on Thursday, June 23, 2011.
When contacted on Friday afternoon (Aug. 5), Commissioner Williams admitted to writing the letter but questioned how its contents were made known to the media.
The rift between the two senior national security functionaries seemed to have stemmed from the PS accusing the Commissioner of being a conveyor of false impressions and her attack on the High Command concerning the integrity of information sharing within the RSCNPF.
“It is totally unfair for you to say that I did not intend any serious or urgent action from your office in relation to the list of items that the Police Force needs which was signed by the Store Keeper and dated 19th April 2011 and submitted to you for onward transmission. I say this because you of all persons know that from conversations with the Minister responsible, a list was needed urgently for him to prepare himself for a meeting with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and then eventually the list was copied to the Force Finance Office for the necessary costing.
“Let the record reflect that in the past and it is the usual practice that documents and proposals for resources and services and projects were sent to the Force Finance Officer for action and onward transmission. That is why the list was first sent without first going through the Finance Officer,” the letter reads.
Commissioner Williams also stated in the letter that he is a professional and did not yield to temptations which would have discredited his integrity.
“I am a professional and I have for all of my professional life sacrificed the temptation of dishonesty so as to safeguard my professional integrity. For you to say that I am not truthful and that I gave false impressions in relation to the list submitted is a direct attack on my integrity. If I might suggest, any list that reaches your attention in relation to the needs of the police should automatically catch your attention for urgent action in light of what we are experiencing - re: The rise in serious crimes. This is not the time to conceal one’s time behind procedures especially where the bureaucracy will cause an unreasonable delay.”
Williams stressed that throughout his professional life he has been a stickler for procedures and has always jealously guarded his reputation.
He also addressed the issue of administration, noting that he firmly believes that sound administrative practices are one of the many pillars of a healthy democracy.
“These ideals,” he said, “I have always endeavoured to share with the rank and file of this noble organisation that I have been entrusted to manage and lead. The ideals of accountability, transparency, fairness, courtesy and professionalism are but a few of what I speak about.
“So when you launch your attack on the High Command concerning the integrity of information sharing within our organisation, I say it is unfounded and reckless. If this is the case by any search of your imagination, I challenge you to single out the member(s) and list all the facts and circumstances so as to expose this unacceptable practice.”
He reminded the PS about a confidential letter that was made public and noted that it was not leaked from his office or by any member of the High Command as she insinuated.
“We have to work as a team to help restore internal and public confidence in the police and its administration. Your wild accusations and criticisms concerning breach of confidence are not helping to foster the good team spirit that is needed in these critical times.
Commissioner Williams challenged the PS to produce proof of an accusation in which she said, “…those who claim to have knowledge of matters relating to security are endangering the same mechanism by not adhering to rules…”
“Who are the ‘those’ you are referring to might I ask? It certainly cannot be I or any member of the High Command, and if so again I challenge you to single out the person(s) and provide the facts and circumstances under which you make these allegations.”
The Commissioner’s letter indicated that the PS had suggested a number of recommendations and advice on the functioning of the police force, but her comments attached to some of them were unjustifiable.
“I took an in-depth look at your recommendations, advice and comments attached to some of them and I am again extremely disappointed at your recklessness in making unjustifiable attacks on the sound leadership that the High Command has exhibited.
“The high Command of the Police Force is made up of well accomplished and eminently qualified police officers from the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis who have all served our country with distinction for well over twenty-seven years at the least.
“The least that can come from your office during these turbulent economic times is a message of team, cooperation and understanding to help to compensate in areas where we are falling down beyond our control at this time. Instead, you have chosen the opposite, which is to launch your vicious attack in an effort not to take responsibility for some of the failures we have experienced.
“You are the administrative leader and director of the ministry with responsibility for National Security, and good leaders take responsibility when things go wrong. They are not just arms open waiting for praise and when things go wrong they pass the buck! Let it be on record that the High Command have been carrying out some, if not all, of your many recommendations and advice on a daily basis since assuming their various managerial roles. We will not accept your negligent and or reckless unfounded attacks on our professional integrity that we have worked so hard to accomplish.”
Commissioner Williams suggested that at this stage of the Federation’s history, they all need to employ a mature, respectful and level-headed approach in the management of matters related to national security.
“We must appreciate that our actions could have the result of plunging our beautiful country into unrest and anarchy, and so we must be strategic and diplomatic in all our endeavours. To facilitate this initiative, I am requesting a meeting with the Prime Minister, the Minister of National Security, yourself and the High Command to resolve some serious issues arising from your correspondence.”
Williams has been a serving member of the RSCNPF since 1981 and had assumed leadership of the organisation following Robert Jeffers’ retirement in February 2008.
He is however scheduled to retire in September and will be handing over the Command Baton to Celvin Geron ‘CG’ Walwyn.
