BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – EARLIER in the month, Gazetted Officers of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force honoured 16 retired Senior Officers of their organisation. However, former Commissioner Calvin Fahie expressed to this media house that treachery, lack of principle and improper treatment were determining factors in his decision to reject the invitation.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, Fahie, who demitted his post as Commissioner in 2004 after approximately six years of service in that capacity, indicated that he did receive an invitation to be honoured at the event but, upon receipt, he declared his position to the deliverer of the invitational message.
“Over the years I have realised that there are certain people in the political arena who use the law enforcement officials for their bidding and I had experiences. And because of that, I decided that I will refrain from attending certain programmes and certain organised meetings with certain political figures and other influential persons in the organisation.
“The reason for that, is over the years I experienced certain underhand and interference within the organisation. But what cemented my refusal is when one retires as a Commissioner or senior person, as opposed to when a permanent secretary retires, one is not supposed to have any departure celebration with any other rank. That person is supposed to have it as the Commissioner.
“I retired in 2004 and the gentleman in office called me and told me they wanted to have something for me in October in 2004. Why wait until October to call me by phone to tell me that you want to have something for me? Since then, I have not heard anything. I am not looking for any glory but at least people must be treated with respect.”
A passionate Fahie also explained that one of the other determining factors in his refusal to attend the Appreciation Ceremony involved a retired Inspector of Police, Austin Lescott.
He said Lescott served above and beyond the call of duty and yet he was unfairly treated.
“What crowned off my not participating in their event is how they treated Mr. Austin Lescott who spearheaded a number of enquiries into drug activities in St. Kitts and Nevis. He put his life and his men on the line to investigate. He was a professional committed and dedicated to service. He gave evidence in a matter in England, he gave evidence in matters in the US and the US Embassy, and a representative from the British High Commission came to St. Kitts to honour and no government official, not even the Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of National Security, was there. The only person was the then Governor General, His Excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian. I was there as the Commissioner of Police.
“Not even the PS attended because... I am not going to say what happened, but they didn’t want Mr. Lescott to continue in his position under the former government. They wanted him out! Something happened in 2003 and he was charged disciplinarily and suspended for almost seven or eight years. And when he reached 55 they told him to go home. There was nothing to commend him for putting his life and his family’s on the line…”
The Former Commissioner expressed that he is asking no one for favours but is sticking to his principles.
“I am not going to any function where you find that there are treacherous, hypocritical people in leadership in St. Kitts and Nevis! I am not in that!”
Former Inspector of Police Lescott was one of the honourees at the event. And the others were: Robert Jeffers, retired Commissioner of Police; Austin Williams, retired Commissioner of Police; Meredith Charles, retired Deputy Commissioner of Police; Rolland Charles, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police; Joseph Richardson, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police; Joseph Liburd, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police; Ivor Blake, retired Superintendent of Police; Sammuel Seabrookes, retired Superintendent of Police; Raymond Cotton, retired Superintendent of Police; Wilmoth Hodge, retiring Superintendent of Police; Clarence Glasgow, retired Inspector of Police; Ronald Benjamin, retired Inspector of Police; Keithlie Bradshaw, retired Inspector of Police; Venetta Wyatt, retired Inspector of Police and Elrethia Richardson, retired Inspector of Police.
