STONEY GROVE, Nevis, September 22nd, 2011 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil says the recent appointment of a new Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, Mr. C.G. Walwyn, paves the way for a brighter chapter in the history of the 51-year old law enforcement agency.
“I believe that the police at this time have an excellent opportunity in moving forward. We have been through a very dismal period. We have been through a period where there has been an increase in criminal activity of almost all kinds, especially the increase in homicides that we have seen
I think our police force has had a very dark chapter in its history that has been written and note that I say has been written, because I believe the opportunity now presents its self to a brighter chapter to be written for the future,” said Prime Minister Douglas at a ceremony to show appreciation to police officers who serve on Nevis.
Dr. Douglas told the event, hosted by businesswoman Ms. Rodney Elliott of Rodney’s Cuisine, there has been an open transparent process of identifying a new Commissioner of Police, in finding the appropriate leadership to lead and manage the men and women who serve.
“I believe that C.G. Walwyn brings to the task, a very important record of success, of service, of professionalism and which I believe can be used as models for our serving officers to emulate. This is why I say that there is an opportunity for us to move into a new direction, one which at the end of the period, would see an improvement in the professionalism of the police force and would return respect to the police force and would win back the confidence of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis with regard to the police force,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
He is of the view that the changing of the guard is also an excellent opportunity that will motivate young men and women, especially those who do academic record to return to the force, become recruited to the Royal St. Christopher Police Force and be given the opportunity to make a career in policing again in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Dr. Douglas told the guests who included Leader of the Opposition in the Nevis Island Assembly and Federal Parliamentarian, the Hon. Vance Amory, newly-elected member of the Nevis Island Assembly, the Hon. Alexis Jeffers, Commissioner of Police, Mr. C.G. Walwyn and Mrs. Walwyn, Master of Ceremony, Mr. Llewellyn Newton and Superintendent of Police, Mr. Hilroy Brandy, that the work of the police officer is not easy.
“I believe that the challenge is even greater because he or she not only has to display a particular type of behavior, a particular type of attitude and temperament at all times but he or she also has to ensure that the citizens of this country demonstrate the same.
They have to do it whether they are angered, whether they have had periods of frustration, whether they woke on the wrong side of the bed or whatever, they are expected to provide service in a professional way which makes their job much more difficult,” said the Prime Minister.
As Minister responsible for the Police, Dr. Douglas gave his government’s commitment “to continue to provide the necessary support that is required for our police officers to do their work.”
“I believe we should all recognize that we are not only living in a relatively small, poor, developing country, but we are experiencing very challenging times because of the global economic and financial situation.
Despite our own shortages , despite our own inadequacies, this government continues to pledge full support in every way to the continued development of policing in St. Kitts and Nevis and to provide the necessary policy guidance and support to the police officers as they pursue their duties,” said Dr. Douglas.
Admitting there are good cops and bad cops, the St. Kitts and Nevis leader said: “The bad cops need to be removed from the police force. They must not remain to contaminate those who are good in the Force and I make no apologies whatsoever for that.”
“I believe that if you have been task to do the job, you should do it properly and if you have reached the point where you no longer can provide professional service, we should do the right thing and that is to leave,” said Dr. Douglas.
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