Police Press Release 13-03-2015 (2)

BASSETERRE St. Kitts, March 16th, 2015  --  On Sunday 28th February 2015 at 5:00 PM, the Nevis Division of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force held its 12th Annual Constables Awards Ceremony and Dinner at Occasions Entertainment Arcade, Pinney's Industrial Site, Nevis.

 

 

1. No. 624 Constable Cleon Michael of Criminal Investigation Department

2. No. 626 Constable Damian Dasent of Cotton Ground Police Station

3. No. 677 Constable Trevin Mills of Gingerland Police Station

4. No. 689 Constable Antonio Browne of Crime Scene Unit (1st Runner Up)

5. No. 697 Constable Devon Jones of Traffic Department

6. No. 730 Constable Etroy Jeffers of Immigration Department

7. No. 736 Constable Ronrick Huggins of New Castle Police Station (2nd Runner Up)

8. No. 743 Constable Sihon Knight of Beat and Patrol Department 

9. No. 750 Constable Kishaun Charles of Violent crime Unit (Winner)

10. No. 755 Constable Derell Boon of Task Force Unit

11. No. 790 Constable Mora Mills of Beat and Patrol Department

 

The ceremony started with the singing of the National Anthem which was rendered by Aquila Rawlins, the invocation was given by Force Chaplain Pastor Leroy Benjamin, and the chairman was Pastor Simeon Prentice. 

 

On hand to witness this very special occasion was a large gathering of persons from a wide cross section of the community, including Government officials; Federal and Nevis Island Administration, the Judiciary, Former Gazetted Police Officers including Commissioners Calvin Fahie and Austin Williams, family members and friends. 

 

Divisional Officer, Superintendent Hilroy Brandy gave the Divisional Overview of the Strategic group and stated that it was formed in 2002 due to the rise in crime on the island. He pointed out that the moral of the men and women of the division is critical, and the annual award ceremony has build motivation and encouragement on the job. Superintendent Brandy informed the gathering that in January 2012 a three (3) year Strategic Plan was presented under the theme, "Strengthening Partnership, To Build Safer Communities", and the goal was to reduce crime by 30%. He then stated that to achieve the goal a number of initiatives were implemented, such as, Town Hall Meetings, Community Walkthroughs, House to House Visits, Media Awareness, Operations, Daily Vehicle Check Points, etc.   

 

Superintendent Brandy stated that in crime fighting, Community Centred Policing remains key, and preventing crime must start early, especially with children. He informed the gathering that during 2014 seven (7) firearms and eighty five (85) assorted rounds of ammunition were taken off the streets in the division. He ended by thanking those members of the community for their valuable assistance and encouraged them to continue to do so.

 

Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Crime, Ian Queeley in his remarks stated that persons should be recognised, rewarded or commended whenever performances so required. He stated that the reduction in crime to 27% is very significant to note. ACP Queeley informed the gathering that most significantly 45% of reported crime was detected and that is above the internationally accepted standard of 33%. Before ending he encouraged every police officer to recommit themselves to fight against crime and be visible in the forefront. 

 

Premier of Nevis, Hon. Vance Amory in his remark told the gathering that the work of the police has to be given due recognition. He stated, "No Government however strong, however popular, can engage in the matter of maintaining Law and Order, which is so necessary for ongoing development of the country without an efficient and effective Police Force". Premier Amory further said, "While we often see the end result we do not often see the hard work attends to the outcome, which we are here celebrating this evening, and it is to that end, I want all of us here this evening to recognise that the business of the police is not easy."

 

Premier Amory told the awardees that they have stood out from among their peers, but, they are still part of that group and team, and even though they have proved outstanding in one area, they are still dependent on the member of the force. He informed the police officers of the division that he applaud their continued commitment to duty, self, and giving of their sacrifice to ensure that the Country remains safe and stable.

 

Premier Amory said before ending his remark, " We want you to know that from this Administration we will continue to give whatever support we can give to ensure that your continue to perform your duty at the best of your ability. 

 

Prime Minister, The Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris and MInister of National Security in his remarks that the Police Force, and Security Forces to my view have always risen to the occasion and they have done reasonably well for the country. He said, " I believe that the whole body of the security forces recognised that their duty is predicative to the Constitution and the Laws of the land, they have a duty to uphold it however uncomfortable it may be, at all times". The Hon. Prime Minister thanked the security forces because they show what the country always expect of them, and encouraged the security forces to have virtue, courage to do what is right, to have the stamina to pursue justice to the very end. 

 

The Hon. Prime Minister said, " Occasions such as this one, to mind, reminds us of the criticality of the Law Enforcement Agents to all aspects of life through St. Kitts and Nevis, and without them our society will not be a safe one. We acknowledge that Law and Order is critical to the achievement of prosperity individually and collectively." He informed the gathering that the Federal Government is committed to provide all the resources that the country can reasonably provide to the agents of Law and Order. 

 

The Hon. Prime Minister pledged that the police force can count on the Government of National Unity to stand with us, to be supportive of us, as we stand to execute our duty firmly and fairly in keeping with our mission, but, most importantly infidelity to the Constitution and the Laws of the Federation. 

 

The featured speaker was Pastor Shelton Benjamin of the Seventh Adventist Church, he informed the gathering that police officers are never off duty, they are dedicated public servants who took an oath to protect and to serve at any time the peace is threatened. He said, "The community need the police, and the police need the community. A continuing strong partnership between the police and the community is very critical." Pastor Benjamin informed the gathering that he believes as much as the community need the police, the police need the cooperation of the community to ensure an atmosphere of a peaceful and progressive community, where people have been free from crime, and to develop.  

 

Pastor Benjamin continued by informing the gathering that he was told that crime is on the decrease on Nevis, and he believes by no means that this could not have been possible without proactive strategies. He also stated that our communities now more than ever need to be trained in conflict resolution, because so easily our young men and women get into fights. He said, " Once the police have the public's full confidence and sustained reputation as crime preventers, investors will feel safe and confident to set up businesses."

 

He informed the gathering that if crime is going to be reduced through community relations, there is going to be a need to increase police visibility by deploying police officers in hot spots. He continued by saying that the police, prosecutors, courts, prisons, and communities are the country's pillars of justice.  He said, " One of the challenges to peace and development is an efficient justice system." 

 

Pastor Benjamin further informed the gathering that, for safety, community members must take responsibility for the problems in their communities and for the efforts to cooperate with the police. Before ending he encouraged the police officers to be a ream player, always believing that they can do it and become a greater of the police team.