BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – JUST days after celebrating his 50th birth anniversary, Ian Queeley was appointed Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF).
Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris made the announcement of Queeley’s appointment and those of four other Senior Officers last night (Feb. 9) during a televised and radio address to the nation.
According to Dr. Harris, as the Top Cop, Commissioner Queeley “has overall accountability for all policing matters. The buck stops with him and he must hold all subordinates accountable for performance”.
Briefly speaking to the former Assistant Commissioner’s career, the Prime Minister said Queeley has been a member of the RSCNPF for 30 years, half of which was served at the strategic management and executive levels.
“He has had a well-rounded career having spent 13 years working in the Drug Squad. He has also spent three years on secondment to the Central Liaison Office of the Regional Security System as a Permanent Instructor, where he had special responsibilities for Physical Training, Weapon Training and Internal Security. He has two degrees and professional training from the best policing institutions.”
PM Harris told the nation that the Force’s four-year (2016-2019) Strategic Plan would be organised under four Directorates, which would be led by the High Command.
In addition to Queeley’s upward mobility, there were four others.
Former Commander of the Nevis Division, Superintendent Hilroy Brandy was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police with Responsibility for the Service Improvement Directorate.
Dr. Harris pointed out that “Brandy brings to the table 35 years of police service and specialist experience in Crime Scene Investigation and Management, and investigative practice in Financial and Anti-money Laundering matters”.
Former Superintendent Terrance James was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) with Responsibility for the Operations Directorate.
James has been a member for 29 years and served in the Special Services Unit and the Drug Squad. He had held the appointments of Acting Commandant of the Police Training School and Commander of the ‘A’ and ‘B’ Divisions.
Former Superintendent Andre Mitchell was appointed ACP with Responsibility for the Crime Directorate. With 25 years service under his belt, Mitchell will be taking his experience working in the Violent Crimes Unit to the High Command.
And lone female, former Superintendent Merclyn Hughes was appointed ACP with Responsibility for the Administration, Resources, Technology and Intelligence Directorate.
Hughes is the first female in the history of the RSCNPF to have been elevated to that rank and also the first female to have become a member of the High Command.
According to PM Harris, she has 37 years of policing experience with a special focus on leading in Strategic Intelligence. “Ms. Hughes has broken the glass ceiling. I hope her ascent provides inspiration to all local and regional females in the Police Force.”
“All of these officers,” he said, “are well qualified and have received extensive local, regional and international training throughout their policing careers in law enforcement. Their breadth of skills, knowledge and specialist areas complement each other and provide us with a robust leadership team.”
The National Security Minister welcomed the newly-promoted officers to the rights and responsibilities of their roles and charged them to be innovative and inspirational, while advising them to work with the communities.
‘You must lead, you must inspire, you must motivate and you must be innovative. You must be free from autocracy to think out of the box and take action of your own considered volition.
“You must be tireless in ensuring that words, policies and strategies are converted into crime reduction. It is your responsibility for making our communities safer for citizens, residents, businesses and tourists. We the members of the public will work with you.
“You must work with communities. You must work inside communities, for communities and alongside communities. You are community members as well as their servants and, as such, you are their hope for a safer and more secure life in the future.”
He however informed that the new High Command would be placed on a 12-month probation and each member would be held accountable for their performance and that of their Directorate.
