BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - OVER the past weekend, rumours have abounded that the Chaplain for the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) - Pastor Leroy Benjamin - has been appointed Superintendent of Police.
Additionally, a picture was circulated that featured Pastor Benjamin standing at attention in a khaki (green) uniform, identical to that worn by gazetted officers of the RSCNPF.
Evidenced across social media and through the streets of the Federation, the news was not received well in some quarters and questions were raised as to how, when and why this took place, whether or not it should have even taken place and whether or not the move was a “proper” one to make.
In effort to shed some light on the situation, SKNVibes contacted the Police Force’s Press and Public Relations Officer, Inspector Lyndon David, who indicated that “by virtue of his position as Chaplain, he carries a rank...but he is only just beginning to wear his uniform”.
Also speaking with SKNVibes, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley explained that what has happened in this situation is not uncommon in military and paramilitary organisations.
“With the office of the Chaplain, it is not uncustomary in any military or paramilitary organisation for these persons to have a rank. The rank does not carry operational capabilities. It is what is called a supernumerary rank and it is nothing new. It is just that it is being conferred upon him at this time, but it is nothing new. It is not a novelty. It is just that by virtue of his office as the Chaplain of the Force he is entitled to a rank.”
ACP Queeley said he does not know exactly when Pastor Benjamin received his instrument of appointment but indicated that “only recently he started putting on his uniform”.
Queeley also said he does not know whether or not Pastor Benjamin is now drawing a Superintendent’s salary.
Former Commissioner of Police Calvin J. Fahie - while speaking with this publication - suggested that this move might not have been the best one, especially since Pastor Benjamin - while functioning as Supervisor of Elections - engaged in misfeasance and disenfranchisement of voters, as was ruled in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
“If the Police Force has a Chaplain and the Chaplain supposed to be one who is seen as that counsellor to police officers when they are sick, when they are in problems, when they are depressed, they must have rules and regulations to speak to the function of the Force Chaplain...I am saying that from what I have heard, it is a concern of mine because when one puts on a police uniform - and a senior rank at that - the uniform signifies that he is a gazetted rank.
“And I am frank with my observation and what I am hearing. I would never feel pleased to know (that) as a police officer trained in discipline I will be paying compliment by a salute to somebody whose position - not just as Force Chaplain - but as a former position in the public eye, question marks are against it.”
The former Commissioner said he views this move as an affront to discipline in the paramilitary body.
“...Let us face it, anybody in Chaplain position must be somebody who individuals in the Force and individuals in the community could look up to; somebody who they have confidence in and trust. And I am saying from what I have been hearing, from what I know, we are now leading into unchartered waters...
“As it stands from my personal point of view and observation of what transpired in recent times pertaining to the individual, it is an affront to good governance, discipline of the Police Force to impose that type of position and uniform on the individual...I am not talking on behalf of the police, I am talking as a retired officer and still a member of our community who is interested in the upward mobility of the Police Force.”
When contacted for a comment, Superintendent Benjamin indicated that he was on his way to a meeting and that he would think about the subject matter and make contact with this publication sometime later.
After being advised that this publication would be going to press shortly, the Superintendent said, “I don’t have anything to say right now. I am otherwise engaged. I will think about it and give you back a shout.”
