BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – COMMISSIONER OF POLICE Celvin ‘CG’ Walwyn has proceeded on vacation leave and questions are being raised as to whether or not he would be replaced before his recently-renewed contact expires.
SKNVibes understands that Walwyn left the Federation yesterday (Feb. 23) on leave and, though it was suggested that the leave is one-month long, it has not been corroborated.
Speaking on condition of anonymity with this publication, a government official explained that the Commissioner indicated that he had secured approval to proceed on leave before the current Administration had taken office.
Commissioner Walwyn took command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force in September 2011 and his contract was to have expired in August 2014. He however indicated shortly thereafter that he was asked to remain at that post and his contract was renewed.
While some members of the St. Kitts and Nevis society sang Commissioner Walwyn’s praises, others seriously criticised him, declaring that he has not done enough to address the problem of crime. Some even suggested that he appeared to be politically aligned to the former Administration which may have affected his judgment in the execution of his duties.
Although he previously indicated that his contract was renewed, questions are now being raised as to whether or not it was actually signed.
One individual who has repeatedly called for Walwyn to demit the post is former Minister of Government G. A. Dwyer Astaphan who, in a recent interview with SKNVibes, said he received information about the Commissioner’s leave.
Astaphan was however careful to note that he secured the information not from anyone in or connected to the Government, but through his personal connections.
“And I cannot confirm that it is 100 percent correct, but I can responsibly share the information that I have with you. And the information is that he (Walwyn) indicated to someone (yesterday) after his arrival in the United States that he was to have left the job at the end of last year but he was asked to hold on for a while. How that fits into whether or not he renewed his contract, I don’t know.
“I am told he also advised the person that he has four weeks leave which adds up to, I think, 42 calendar days altogether, but that he has given up the house that he was renting or was being rented for him and that he won’t be returning. Again, I cannot say if that is official but I got it from somebody who might be in a good position to know. And let me reiterate that that person is not a member of the Administration, not even anywhere remotely connected to the Administration…”
Astaphan said his position on whether or not Walwyn should remain the COP is unwavering.
“My position with regard to him has nothing to do with the election or the outcome of the election. I have expressed the opinion publicly and respectfully on more than one occasion that I do not think he should be the Commissioner of Police and I hold that position. I don’t believe that his performance justifies his holding the position! Some people may disagree with me but I say that respectfully…I think he has cost us too much in too many ways…”
SKNVibes understands that in Walwyn’s absence, Deputy Commissioner of Police Stafford Liburd would act as Commissioner.
