BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 23rd 2009 (PAM Secretariat) - Leader of the People’s Action Movement, Lindsay Grant is appealing to members of the security forces to be very vigilant and respectful during the Christmas and Carnival season.
Grant, in his appeal to members of the security forces, noted that there would be individuals of disreputable character whose intentions are to exploit planned events for the season by targeting unsuspecting members of the public and relieving them of their property; therefore, there is a greater need for security personnel to be vigilant.
He also said that while it is expected of the officers to ensure law and order is maintained, they must execute their responsibilities in a very respectful manner.
“You have to understand that there is a greater need for you to be very vigilant, and I also beg of you to be respectful by ensuring that you conduct yourselves with great pride, dignity, professionalism and maturity,” Grant said. He said that should they conduct themselves in the manner expected of them, then the public could look forward to growth and development with regards to the moral and social development of St Kitts and Nevis.
Grant declared that each member of the security forces has an important role to play and urged them to grab at their responsibility, adding that with each stakeholder playing his/her part the many ills of society could be seriously addressed. He noted that with the expectation of many visitors and nationals to the Federation for the season, the conduct demonstrated by members of security forces would determine the level of respect the public would give in response.
“It is through the demonstration of how you conduct yourselves during the season will help to determine the image that is painted of us locally and internationally. So it’s important that you conduct yourself properly,” Grant urged.
Grant said it is important that the officers understand they have a country’s name to protect while they are also expected to treat their fellow men and women with the greatest level of professionalism and respect.
“I call upon you to not be distracted by the political mischief and differences in our Federation, but rather to conduct yourself at the very highest level of professionalism. You need to understand that every time you do something unprofessional and you’re a soldier or a policeman, it is even worse because of the uniform that you wear. And most importantly, what you should represent,” Grant said.
He reiterated that each member of the security forces has an important role to play in changing the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis by ensuring law and order could be restored while eliminating the rapid crime rate plaguing every citizens and resident.
Grant pointed out that it should be the dream of everyone to want a Federation that is crime free and whereby the security forces personnel act and conduct themselves professionally and maturely.
“I am very confident that all of us want to live in a St. Kitts and Nevis where we can boast that our people are not judged or differentiated based on how they look and what they believe in, but on the fact that they are Kittitians and Nevisians; a St. Kitts and Nevis where we can take care of the elderly with compassion and those vulnerable among us.
“That is the kind of society that we aspire to; a society that rewards hard work because we are not going to get to the place that we want to be as a country and in each family unless we do so through hard work,” he declared.
Grant gave the assurance that when his PAM party is elected in 2010, all transgressions being committed against members of the security forces would be dealt with. “Let me assure you that all transgressions committed against you will be seriously addressed by my Government; so have patience and faith as it is coming…I promise you,” he said.
He added that the uniform worn by members of the security forces must mean something to them and the people of St Kitts and Nevis. “Let us work towards this dream that when young people and the older people too see the uniform that you wear, they must see vividly respect, humility, honesty and hard work; therefore, let’s work together to achieve that,” he added.
