BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOUR years ago, this writer penned an article on the final day (January 9, 2011) of Austin Williams’ tenure as Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) and asked: “Will the next Commissioner of Police be a local or…?”
Today, the same question is being asked as Austin’s successor, Dr. Celvin Geron ‘CG’ Walwyn, had tendered his resignation effective Friday, March 27, 2015.
Though his absence, according to Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, has not affected leadership of the Force and duties performed by a Commissioner, which is now being executed by the longstanding Deputy Commissioner Stafford Liburd who has not been officially appointed, the public still needs to know who will be the Substantive Head of the RSCNPF.
It was bandied that the Team Unity Government might appoint a retiree as the Commissioner. One of the names mentioned is Joseph ‘Jungle Lion’ Liburd who, on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 had proceed on pre-retirement leave until his 33rd year of professional service to the nation had officially ended.
However, news reaching SKNVibes indicated that he had suffered a serious stroke on Good Friday, was admitted to the Alexandra Hospital in Nevis on the following day and later transferred to the Joseph N France Hospital in St. Kitts. This publication learned that the 55-year-old is responding well to treatment and is now walking. But will he still be eligible to fill that void if there is any truth to the reported Government’s search?
Another name mentioned is that of Retired Commissioner Calvin Fahie who it is said to have given over 35 years undisputed professional, dedicated and conscientious service to the nation.
Fahie, who is highly respected for his knowledge in policing and national security, was also said to be a disciplinarian and ‘no nonsense’ CoP known for standing up to the political directorate whenever he perceived it had no right to make changes in matters of the institution that were in keeping with Force Policy.
Further, he was critical of how the Police Force was being managed by Dr. Walwyn and had indicated that it appeared as though there was no succession plan in place.
Shortly before Dr. Walwyn’s appointment, Fahie had opined: “If you spend thousands of pounds sending persons to England to take over the Force and now in 2011 you going tell me you don’t have anybody qualified to take over, something is wrong.”
But if offered the position, will he accept it?
Currently, there are four members in the High Command with over 115 years combined service who are qualified to be appointed Commissioner – Deputy Commissioner Stafford Liburd, who has held that position since Austin Williams was appointed Commissioner; Assistant Commissioner (ACP) with responsibility for Crime Ian Queeley; ACP Robert Liburd, who heads the Nevis Division; and ACP with responsible for Operations Vaughan Henderson.
If the powers that be do not choose from among the serving Senior Officers or between the retirees and appoint an outsider (foreigner) as Commissioner, then, as predicted in my January 9, 2011 article, there would certainly be major changes in the culture of the Force and also some degree of conflict. Conflict as was seen between Dr. Walwyn and some members of the High Command. Additionally, no one who is serving within an organisation for so many years, and on numerous occasions had put their life on the line for the upholding of law and order, would like to know that an outsider is chosen for a position upon which he/she has their sight.
Apart from CG Walwyn, it had happened in the past, but that was when the Police Force was in its embryonic stage.
Also, as mention in the related article, definitely, if an outsider were chosen, he would want to be appraised of the Force’s strength in terms of human resource, the problems that exist within the country and also the Force, the fields in which personnel are qualified and the resources available to combat crime.
Further, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages of an outsider being made the CoP.
As earlier mentioned, he would be given the resources necessary to be successful in his tasks, but would he get the necessary cooperation and support from those who are also qualified and want the position? How broad is his knowledge of known gangs in the Federation and their modus operandi? When compared with a local, his salary has to be equated with what he would have been paid in the country from which he came. He would also have to be provided with accommodation, travelling allowance, entertainment allowance and transportation, which is apart from the vehicle he would use while on duty.
I am certain that all who are acquainted with Dr. Walwyn’s tenure as CoP of the RSCNPF will agree that he was given all of the above. But it must also be agreed upon that he was instrumental in arranging a number of advance training courses for members of the Force, which were conducted both in the Federation and overseas by US-based law enforcement professionals.
Additionally, even though, from the international perspective, the outsider may be more experienced than the members of the current High Command, he will be entering new territory; he would have to be taught the culture of the organisation, its members and the people of the Federation. And this can only be effectively done through members of the Force who may be offended by his presence.
It is therefore incumbent on the Team Unity Administration to find the most suitable person to fill the vacancy of Commissioner of Police. But will the chosen one be from among the locals, a foreigner or another overseas-based national of the twin-island Federation?
 and ACP Joseph Liburd.jpg)
