BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN just a matter of days a New Year will be upon us, and it is envisioned that Kittitians and Nevisians will see the dawn of a new era in the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, as there will be a new set of and younger faces in the High Command with the exception of one.
As is customary in the twin-island Federation, SKNVibes expects some visitors to this site to see the above-mentioned statement as a rumour, but it must be remembered that the media are not here only to entertain and educate, but also to keep the public informed on events, issues and matters of interest of which they are unaware.
This publication was reliably informed that Stafford Liburd’s tenure as Acting Commissioner of Police will end in the New Year and five of his subordinates would be elevated in rank.
It is said that he would be offered a new position under the Ministry of National Security.
In an effort to get his take on the intended state of affairs in the High Command, SKNVibes, on Monday (Dec. 21), contacted Liburd, who neither denied nor confirmed his retirement from the Force, but said: “I have no comment to make at this moment in time.”
Commissioner (Ag) Liburd is said to have given the Police Force more than 30 years yeoman service and, as stated by a middle manager of that security body, “It is time for Commissioner Liburd to move on and pass the ‘Baton’ to a younger person. He is very knowledgeable in policing and has served for many years in various capacities. The Government should ensure that he is placed in a position where that knowledge can be tapped even though he’s no longer in the Force.”
Additionally, SKNVibes was reliably informed that Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) with responsibility for Operations, Vaughan Henderson would be attached to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as a Crown Counsel, where he can practice the profession for which he is also qualified.
As for leadership of the Force, Ian Queeley, the ACP with responsibility for Crime, is being touted as the best choice.
With Queeley at the helm, there will be need for a Deputy Commissioner, and the person whose name is being called to fill that vacancy is Commander of the Nevis Division Superintendent Hilroy Brandy.
Vacancies will also exist for a number of ACPs, and this media house was told that there is the intention to appoint three of them from among four Superintendents.
The names provided are Commander of Division ‘B’ Superintendent Cromwell Henry, Commander of Division ‘A’ Superintendant Terrance James, Head of the Violent Crimes Unit Detective Superintendent Andre Mitchell and Head of the Strategic Intelligence Unit Woman Superintendent Merclyn Hughes.
With this intended elevation of officers, as informed, there will be a domino effect in the Police Force.
Keeping with tradition, it means that vacancies will exist for four Inspectors, four Sergeants, four Corporals and four Constables.
