Says he should apologise
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – COMMISSIONER of Police Celvin ‘CG’ Walwyn has responded to comments made by former government minister the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris at a recent press conference, denouncing them as a “gross misrepresentation of the truth”.
Dr. Harris – Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Six – in response to a question at the April 9, 2013 press conference indicated that he is concerned about his safety, suggesting that he has good reason so to be.
The comments were published by this media house on April 11 in an article headlined “Harris concerned about his safety but refuses to live in fear”.
He said, “I would want to draw attention to the Commissioner of Police to take serious note of the rhetoric of the Prime Minister and the consequences for orderly conduct of people, particularly as we draw nigh to an election. I would want to draw the attention of the Commissioner of Police to the fact that in his records at the police station have formally made clear that threats against my person, threats to do me harm have been made and they have been reported. I am aware that the very person about whom those threats were made had subsequent to those threats been issued with a firearm. So I am concerned.”
A release issued by the Police Force’s Press and Public Relations Office today (Apr. 14) explains the Commissioner’s disapproval of the statements.
The release stated that the Commissioner would like the public to know that under his leadership, the Police Force has stayed above the fray and political contention and has placed country above self in the execution of their duties.
“Let it be known that the incident to which the Minister alludes, was investigated by an Assistant Commissioner of Police and handled in accordance with the wishes of Minister Harris, who chose not to press charges but have the individual sternly warned.
“That was done in accordance with Minister Harris’ wishes and was documented in the morning report. Minister Harris has never requested any police assistance from the office of the Commissioner of Police since that date and the police force is open to providing extra patrols in his area should he make the request,” Commissioner Walwyn said.
Addressing Harris’ statement about the alleged perpetrator being issued with a firearm subsequent to the incident, Commissioner Walwyn classified it a lie and indicated that Harris should offer an apology for such misrepresentation of the truth.
“…that is a gross misrepresentation of the truth…adults should not tell lies when it is expedient and the Minister should apologize to the police.”
The police communiqué informs that the alleged perpetrator was issued a permit to carry a firearm on June 13, 2006, some five years before the current Commissioner took up responsibilities within the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis.
It stated that Commissioner Walwyn said, “The police force of the Federation serves all residents without fear or favour or political affiliation.”
