“I never had to deal with political interference,”
says COP Williams in ‘exit interview’
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN a matter of days, he will leave an institution of which he has been a part for the last 30 years and of which he was the principal manager for near four years. But how does he feel; how does he feel leaving this institution which has become his ‘second family’?
After close to four years at the helm of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF), Commissioner of Police (COP) Austin Williams, will demit office next Wednesday (Aug. 31) and power will be transferred to COP-designate, Celvin ‘C.G. Walwyn.
SKNVibes spoke with COP Williams and conducted an “exit interview”, during which he candidly expressed his emotions about his imminent departure and experiences he had while he filled the Commissioner’s chair.
He said his departure from the RSCNPF does not sadden him but he leaves with a sense of contentment with his contribution although he feels that there is more that could have been done during his stint.
“I feel satisfied that I have done my part. I feel satisfied at this point with my service to the nation. I am proud of my achievement and the contribution that I have made…I would say that there is no police force that would have all the resources necessary to fight crime and there are some initiatives that I wish we could have put in place during my tenure as Commissioner.
Williams acted as Commissioner of Police from September, 2007 and was officially appointed to that position on February 7, 2008 and since then, according to him, he had a number of experiences which stand out in his mind; all of which are wrapped in grief and sorrow.
“The hardest part of it was to attend funerals of police officers, two of whom died of natural causes and one tragically. And quite naturally, to bury my own son who died tragically while I was Commissioner of Police.”
Suggestions have been made and rumours circulated indicating that the arm of politics has, on occasion, reached into the arena of crime fighting, which may have proven to be an impediment to the COP and the RSCNPF’s execution of their duties.
According to Williams, however, during his stint as COP, he has never experienced nor has he ever been subjected to any political pressure in the execution of his duties.
“I know what the rumours are and what you are referring to but the only thing I would say is some things could have happened sooner and I will still reiterate the areas which I wish to see initiated soonest. I think they would have helped but as it is, money is always the bottom line, a problem.. Maybe a better effort could have been made but we are where we are and the initiatives which I speak of are::
- Closed circuit television network in St. Kitts and Nevis in the built up areas in particular
- A solid traffic patrol unit with a good fleet of vehicles
- New police stations in St. Pauls, Tabernacle and Sandy Point
- Public bus stops throughout St. Kitts in particular
- High visibility policing in every community
- A witness protection programme
“…I tried my best to get these projects off the ground, indeed. It is for us to continue to push for these things and, as it is now, we see almost at a crisis point with what is happening so every effort must be made to get the required tools – so to speak – to combat what is happening.”
He also denied rumours that there was some measure of disunity amongst members of the High Command during his term.
Indicating that he is “happy with the support” he received from his subordinates, COP Williams encouraged the officers “to support the new commissioner of the force” and for them to work on improving the quality of service they deliver to the public.
“…I believe I am leaving a professional organisation behind with the potential to grow from strength to strength. I would be the first to admit that there are some officers who need to raise the bar to enhance the service that we provide. My encouragement to them is to do the best they can and let’s provide the security the nation needs.”
Williams told this publication that he has been involved in law enforcement for 38 years and when he gives up the Commissionership, “I have to definitely try to do something to keep me occupied. And the fact that I have some grandchildren who are fatherless now, I think I have a role to play in molding them and supporting them. So I have to stay occupied in whatever way. I am not ruling out security or law enforcement…”
To Celvin ‘CG’ Walwyn, Williams extended words of congratulation of his appointment and wished him every success in his future endeavours.
