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Posted: Tuesday 7 April, 2015 at 1:18 PM

Govt. accepts CoP Walwyn’s resignation

Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris and former Commissioner Dr. Celvin Geron ’CG’ Walwyn
By: Stanford Conway, SKNVibes.com

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FINALLY, a closure has come to the controversy surrounding the resignation of Dr. Celvin Geron ‘CG’ Walwyn as Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF).

     

    Speaking at his inaugural Prime Minister’s Monthly Press Conference on Thursday (Apr. 2), Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris told media representatives that the Team Unity Government was in receipt of a letter from Commissioner Walwyn indicating his resignation.

    “In relation to the Commissioner of Police, I can say that the Commissioner has written a letter of resignation, that we have accepted this resignation and that the appropriate processes are in place to deal with that eventuality.”

    The Prime Minister did not provide many details on the matter and indicated that he would not discuss security matters which are controversial in nature.

    “I won’t want to get into too many detail, I am advised that a new Minister of National Security you don’t engage too much in public discussion regarding security matters, particularly if controversy may attend to them. But I have acknowledged that I am in receipt of the letter of resignation and we have done what is the appropriate action to do in relation to that.”

    He however declared that the duties of Commissioner are in no way affected by Walwyn’s absence.

     “In the meantime, there is no absence of leadership within the St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, though the duties are to be performed by a Commissioner are in fact being executed. We have a Deputy of longstanding and, in the time being, he is the Acting Commissioner. So there is no issue in leadership, not at this time, within the Force.”

    Dr. Harris used the opportunity to commend the rank and file of the RSCNPF, noting that he wanted to thank them “for their cooperation at this particular matter.”

    The National Security Minister stated that the Federation is a principal responsibility of the Government and the Team Unity Administration would re-enforce that commitment.

    “I want on a broader note to re-enforce our commitment that the security of the State is a cardinal responsibility of the Government, and one which we intend to treat with the highest degree of seriousness and to give the highest degree of support. 

    “And so we are not indifferent to the needs always to ensure that all is well with the security apparatus of the country. And that is why very early we held meetings with the High Command of the Force by themselves and then laterally we had a more general meeting with the Security Forces. I am confident that the security Forces of St. Kitts and Nevis can and will deliver to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.”

    Walwyn was appointed Commissioner in September 2011 and had implemented a number of units to combat crime in the Federation, including the Robbery Unit, Delta Squad, and the Violent Crime Unit.

    He also created the Special Victim Unit (SVU), which places emphasis on child molestation; the Mentoring, Advising, Guiding and Instructing Children (MAGIC), implemented by the SVU which is an initiative modelled after a programme in the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando, Florida, USA. 

    Commissioner Walwyn was also responsible for the implementation of a programme called Teens and Police Services (TAPS), a programme modelled after an initiative from the Houston Police Department. This programme seeks to tackle crime through the development of bonds between troubled youths and the police. It was also explained that the programme places at-risk teens and law enforcement personnel on equal footing and creates an environment that encourages sharing and problem solving.

    Additionally, Walwyn had written a Strategic Plan for 2015-2020, which he claimed is “only a guide, if followed by my successor or the Interim Commissioner of Police, we will see changes in the crime situation in the Federation”.

    However, despite the implementation of these initiatives and his claim to crime reduction since appointed Commissioner, the current Administration, during its election campaign and even fore then, accused Walwyn of being politically aligned. This accusation was also a regular topic on talk shows, including those of Nevis’ Deputy Premier Mark Brantley’s ‘On the Mark’ and Dwyer Astaphan’s ‘The Operating Room’.

    Letters purportedly written by members of the RSCNPF also accused him of being political; that there were strained relationships between him and members of the High Command; that he openly displayed favouritism; that he regularly took public accolades for the Force’s success with employment of the nominal singular pronoun “I” and cast blame on other Senior Officers, especially those on Nevis, for failure; and that he had implemented a system of arrest and charge then investigate, which had seen many individuals being set free and some taking court action.

    Commissioner Walwyn had denounced all of those accusations. In September 2011, during his first meeting with media representatives, Walwyn stated that he had returned to his homeland on a three-year contract to head the RSCNPF as a professional and emphasised that he is apolitical.

    Dr. Celvin Geron ‘CG’ Walwyn had tendered his resignation effective Friday, March 27, 2015 and, now that the controversy is over who will be appointed Commissioner of Police?
     
     
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