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Jeffers takes final Salute
By Stanford Conway
Editor-in-Chief SKNVibes.com
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Former Commissioner of Police, Robert Jeffers
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FORMER Commissioner Robert Jeffers yesterday took his last official salute as Head of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force at a historic Change of Command ceremony at the Warner Park Stadium.
The parade, which saw the handing over of the Command Baton by Jeffers to newly appointed Commissioner of Police Austin Williams, symbolised the transfer of total responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another.
It is the first time in the 48-year history of the local Police Force that a Change of Command ceremony had taken place.
In his farewell address to the five platoons on parade and all other members of the Force who were present, Jeffers congratulated Williams on his elevation in rank and appointment.
Jeffers also expressed his gratitude to all those who had contributed to the numerous success he achieved during his tenure in the law enforcement body as the COP, and especially the time when he headed the Criminal Investigation Department.
“To the people of this Federation, friends and foes alike, I say a special thank you for allowing me to serve this Federation as a police officer for the last 41 years and seven months. I will eternally be grateful for that. ~~Adz:Right~~
“I have enjoyed every moment of my career. I am in love with my job today as I was on the day I joined the Police Force; and as I leave, I pray that God will bless the men and women of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force,” Jeffers said.
Jeffers urged all members of the Force to give their fullest support to the new COP and expressed satisfaction that the Prime Minister did not recruit someone from overseas to be his successor.
He also made a number of recommendations among which the establishment of a Police Complaint Authority outside of the Police Force “to deal with reports made by members of the public against officer.”
Jeffers pointed out that sometimes when complaints were made against police officers “culture kicks in…and I don’t think justice was done to members of the public.”
The former COP stressed the importance of authority on matters of dismissal in the Force.
“I feel that the Commissioner should be given more authority over the Force when it comes to dismissal of persons from the organisation, particularly for indiscipline. It does not make sense when you make a recommendation for dismissal to the Police Service Commission and years after nothing has been done about it! I feel the Commissioner must be given more authority to dismiss persons from the Police Force, and if the person is dissatisfied there is recourse. So, I think that should really be done.”
In his address, Commissioner Williams said he was deeply honoured to take the Baton from his colleague and friend, stating, “Let me remind you sir that once a Commissioner, always a Commissioner”.
Williams said security is the nucleus of the cell of good governance and civil society, noting without it there would not be stability and peace.
“So,” he added, “I must pledge my commitment to play my role in managing the security of our nation. The challenges before us are many…I will strive to maintain and improve the presence of police officers in our neighbourhood.”
He however noted that police presence within the community must be done with a sense of vigour and purpose if success were to be achieved in providing the much needed insurance of safety, security and assurance of peace and prosperity.
Williams declared that the Force’s High Command is currently discussing the possibility of making breach of confidential information a criminal act, and called on the general public to continue supporting the Force as was recently seen.
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