BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THERE comes a time in everyone’s working life when he or she has to call it a day. This writer is not speaking about those who may have been forced to retire because of illness, but those who have reached the stipulated age of retirement according to a country’s Constitution, specifically people employed in the Civil Service.
The nation had recently seen a change in the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF), where the position of Police Press and Public Relations Officer held by Inspector Lyndon David had become redundant. There is no longer a PRO but a Director of Communications. This position is being held by former SKNIS Director Grell Browne.
The change came as no surprise to some members of the Federation’s media corps, as word was already out on the street of the intended move. But, of recent, more changes are on the front burner; not only within the RSCNPF, but also at Her Majesty’s Prison.
Following the February 16 General Elections, Celvin ‘CG’ Walwyn was replaced by his Deputy Stafford Liburd who, since then has been designated Acting Commissioner of the RSCNPF. However, it is being bandied that he would soon be replaced.
One individual told this writer that Liburd seems to be “a Hollywood star”. Befuddled by the glib statement, this writer enquired the meaning from the individual, who said: “It has been many months since he had been appointed Head of the Police Force but still acting in that capacity.”
The individual also stated that he heard Liburd would soon be sent on pre-retirement leave and was wondering if he would be confirmed in that rank in order to boost his pension, adding “let’s wait and see”.
The High Command is currently made up of Commissioner (Ag) Stafford Liburd and two Assistant Commissioners – Ian Queeley who is responsible for Crime and Vaughan Henderson who is responsible for Operations.
Some say that Liburd is fast approaching the age of retirement (55) or he is about two years over that. Should that be a fact and he is soon to be retired, then who will his replacement be?
Will it be Queeley or Henderson?
Neither of them, this writer was told.
This writer was told that he would be replaced by a former Inspector, who went into private practice as a lawyer and is now a magistrate.
Meanwhile, across at ‘1840’, Her Majesty’s Prison, it was learnt that the Superintendent of Prisons, Franklyn ‘Weatherman’ Dorset, is currently on pre-retirement leave.
He, too, will be replaced, but by whom?
Will it be by the Assistant Superintendent of Prisons, Asheila Connor, or Chief Prison Officer Alton Liburd?
This writer was told that two Senior Police Officers are being considered for the position. One is a Superintendent and the other is an Inspector.
It is now left to see if there is any truth in what are being bandied.
