BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN a somewhat bittersweet atmosphere, Command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) was transferred from outgoing Commissioner of Police Austin Williams to incoming Commissioner of Police Celvin ‘CG’ Walwyn during a Passing of the Baton Ceremony held at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, August 31.
The ceremonious event was attended by many dignitaries including Governor-General His Excellency Sir Cuthbert M. Sebastian, Prime Minister Denzil L. Douglas, Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor, Premier of Nevis Joseph Parry, Deputy Premier Hensley Daniel and other ministers of government.
Four platoons of officers of the RSCNPF aligned themselves on the cricket field facing the pavilion, awaiting the arrival of the different dignitaries commencing with the outgoing Commissioner and concluding with the arrival of the Governor-General.
The main speeches of the evening were delivered by Williams and Walwyn, one describing the journey which led him to that point and the other outlining the course which he intends to take during his stint as head of the RSCNPF.
Williams, who headed the police force for an approximate four years, explained that he is satisfied with his contribution to law enforcement and spoke of specific highlights and low points that punctuated his journey.
A 53-year-old Walwyn, however, made his position clear and issued a call to those wayward members of society that their disregard for the law would be sought out and brought to justice.
He said the days of nonchalance are over and that and improvement in the operation of the RSCNPF could be expected within a month’s time.
The Baton of Leadership, which was passed to Commissioner Williams by the then Minister of National Security, Sam Condor, was officially handed over to Commissioner Walwyn as a signal of the transfer of power from one to the other.
The officers engaged in the parade made their way east along Cayon Street past the Police Headquarters, where the outgoing Commissioner took his final salute.
All roads subsequently led to the Police Training Complex where a toasting ceremony was held for specially invited guests.
Walwyn was officially sworn in as Commander of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force yesterday (Sept. 1) by the Attorney-General of St. Christopher and Nevis, Patrice Nisbett.
