BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE crime-fighting capability of the Federation was bolstered yesterday (June 21) with the swearing-in of a batch of 20 individuals who were conferred powers of Island Constables (ICs) in accordance with the Island Constables Act 2009.
The ceremony took place at the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force’s (RSCNPF) Training Complex, under the distinguished patronage of Governor General, His Excellency Sir Cuthbert M. Sebastian and in the presence of representatives of Ross University School of Veterinary Studies, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), police and government officials, and friends and family members of the inductees.
Tanaca Browne, Kirtley Maynard, Dwight Storrod, Alvin Toby, Javed Michael, Lester Henry, Kennis Williams and Kendel Hamilton of Ross University of Veterinary Medicine and Austin Buchanan and Carla Matthew of the UDC were amongst the group of installed Island Constables.
Dennis Jeffers of the Anti-Crime Unit and Ivan Smithen, Kimo Liburd, Dario Powell, Gweneth Dias, Jevon Williams, Brontie Liburd, Irone Rouse, Curtis Flanders and Kenneth Herbert – all orderlies in the Ministry of Health – were also conferred Island Constable-powers.
The 20 individuals completed their training in two batches - some last month, others earlier in the year - at the Training Complex under the leadership of Commandant Inspector Lionel Moore.
However, they were only yesterday fitted with their instrument of operation by His Excellency Sir Cuthbert. As a result, they now have all the powers, privileges of, and possess all the immunities “conferred, by any law and the Police Act, upon any Police Constable”.
Commissioner of Police Celvin ‘CG’ Walwyn congratulated the new ICs on their appointment and admonished them to perform their duties without fear or favour. He also advised the gathering that the ICs – authorised to act as police officers – are to be obeyed by members of the public.
Remarks were also made by Ministry of Health, the Honourable Marcella Liburd, who deemed the ceremony and its purpose “important” especially since “security underpins all facets of our society”.
Devry Inc.’s Chief Security Officer John Kroen also offered remarks at the auspicious occasion.
This is the second batch of Island Constables to be sworn in, the first being appointed in November 2011, at the St. Kitts Marriott. And this most-recent ceremony takes the number of empowered Island Constables within the Federation to 48.
The evening concluded with a cosy and friendly reception.
