PM Douglas charges new security officers to fulfil solemn oath
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRIME MINISTER and Minister of National Security Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas commended and challenged 36 new members of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) and the St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services (SKNFRS) to fulfil the oath they took to execute their roles as officers of the Federation’s Security Forces.
“I challenge you to fulfil the solemn oath you have taken in executing your roles as officers of the essential forces in this country. Be exemplary in every part of your operation; be effective managers and do not compromise your standards and the high ideals that built the institutions which you proudly represent here today. Yours, I stress, is a call of service to humanity while embracing and sustaining the values that give us all a purpose to live.”
PM Douglas was at the time delivering the feature address at the Graduation Ceremony of 22 Recruits of the RSCNPF and 14 officers, including one female, of the SKNFRS, held at the Drill Square of the of the Police Training Complex on Tuesday, October 28.
Dr. Douglas further challenged the officers not to continue to turn a blind eye to what is perceive to be petty crime and to strive to 
maintain the highest level of commitment, professionalism and productivity.
He also urged the officers to be committed, both on and off the job, and admonished them, the Police Constables in particular, about their obligations and to be visible in the streets.
“Get out into the communities; for God’s sake be visible! Our people want to see you in our communities. Patrol the streets; there is where you are detailed to be...not sitting down in the police station alone. Be out there in the streets. Our communities demand this of you today!
“Policing is a business. Crime prevention is your mission. Safety and security are your watchwords.
The government and citizens of this country are your clients. Let us for God’s sake work together as a team. What matters most in this organisation is teamwork. The community is willing to work with you; you must take up the mantle and lead them back to embrace you and rebuild that confidence and that confidentiality as guiding principles for the way forward.
Earlier in his address, Dr. Douglas said his administration has reaffirmed its commitment to the country to ensure that safety and security remain an area of highest priority, especially considering its paramount importance in all aspects of development.
He added that as the country transitions into a service-oriented economy, it is important to sustain the peaceful environment that would positively impact the prospects of economic growth and development.
The PM highlighted some of the successes of the security institutions including 100 percent convictions in murder cases, over 5 000 marijuana plants uprooted, 30 firearms confiscated and significant achievements given the increase in gun-related crimes.
He also pointed to the positive outcome of town hall meetings, which have he said have given them the “opportunity to be reenergised so that the negative perceptions can be dispelled”.
“There is no doubt that the current statistics reveal that certain categories of crime are under decline. But you cannot become complacent; the rising level of certain categories of crime is still cause for great concern. Officers, you have to sustain the operations that will continue to impact crime reduction in St. Kitts-Nevis and demonstrate that you are not overwhelmed by the criminal elements that have infiltrated our communities.” ~~Adz:Right~~
PM Douglas encouraged the new officers to stay their courses, to avoid distractions and go out into the communities with the same zeal seen in their respective training in order to apprehend the perpetrators of all forms of crime to justice.
He also challenged the officers to “be fearless, firm and respectful”, as they maintain the peace of the land.
