BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH Commissioner of Police Hilroy Brandy expected to leave office within a matter of days, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force will undergo significant changes in order to rebuild the trust and respect of the public.
The Force will also seek to bring about changes that will benefit the public at large when it comes to safety and security.
Dr. Terrance Drew, Minister of National Security, has been speaking on the need to institute changes and strategies in light of the recent spate of homicides and other criminal activities occurring on the streets of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Just recently the Federation recorded three homicides within a month, with the February incident being brazenly carried out in a fast food establishment.
Those instances have raised safety and security concerns in the public domain.
Many people had questioned the Prime Minister’s silence on the matter, but he has since revealed that discussions were ongoing with members of the law enforcement agencies on the way forward.
“I have met multiple times with the different agencies within the Nation Security apparatus and they have been putting plans together to make sure that we secure the people. I would say that whatever we do is to make sure that we protect all,” Dr. Drew stated.
On the matter of the Police Force, the Prime Minister confirmed that the entity would be going through a change beginning with the installation of a new Commissioner. The change will also see the appointment of a Deputy Commissioner of Police, with that being vacant for four years following the breaking up of the old High Command.
When the appointment of the Commissioner is made, it will create a ripple effect of other posts being filled and, according to Dr. Drew, the posts of Assistant Commissioners, Superintendents and others would be properly made.
Those decisions will then guide the National Security Strategy going forward.
“And with that, we will make sure that whatever the new thrust is with the new Commissioner and those involved in the apparatus, that a strategy, comprehensively to respond and to be proactive, that we control and protect our people and keep our streets and people safe,”” Dr. Drew told reporters.
The Commissioner was previously expected to demit office, but he had stayed on to lead the Force in the interim as the search continues for his replacement.
Dr. Drew went further to advise the officers to protect and not to “brutalize anybody; treat people with respect but at the same time we seek to make sure that we secure the country”.
His comment comes against the backdrop of many persons within society being critical of the approach officers used at times while arrestlng alleged perpetrators of crimes.
In late 2022, the conduct of an officer was called into question after he had reportedly manhandled an individual in the Basseterre area, which resulted in national and regional condemnation.
That incident was preceded by several others, where the conduct of officers were called into question.
To remedy the problem and instill discipline through training, the Government had engaged a consultant who will assist “trememdously” in that area.
