BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A Senior Superintendent (SSP) in the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) has dismissed rumours that he was contracted to take up the position of Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
Following Wednesday’s (May 25) posting of a statement on the SKNList, which indicated that SSP Graham Archer of the RBPF would be the new Commissioner of Police of the twin-island Federation, SKNVibes contacted the officer for a comment and was told he was unaware of such a contract.
Archer, who is based at the Holetown Police Station in Barbados, said, “I am not aware of such a contract. I have never applied for that post and do not intend to. You are not the first media person to have asked that question, and I believe the rumour started because it is common knowledge that I will be retiring from the force later in the year.”
Like Archer, the current Commissioner of Police (COP), Austin Williams, will soon depart his office by retirement.
In early February 2011, the Ministry of National Security stated in a release that it was inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates for the position, which responsibilities include management of the Force, reporting to the Ministry and the implementation of a policing plan designed to enhance the safety and security of residents and citizens of the Federation.
It further stated that the successful candidate would also undertake the general administration of the Force, execute the policy directives of the Ministry, oversee and direct the design of a crime fighting strategy and advise government on crime patterns/trends.
Many people have since been deliberating on who should be the next COP. While some of them prefer the appointment be given to a national, others are suggesting someone from within the Caribbean or further afield.
