|
|
News |
|
|
|
Opinion |
|
|
|
SKN Observer |
|
|
|
Advertising |
|
|
|
Resources |
|
|
|
| Gov’t Wants Foreign Police Commissioner |
| By Sheena Brooks |
|
|
 |
COP Austin Williams |
| |
The Labour administration is in search of a new police commissioner, and is advocating for the hiring of an outsider to fill the post, the Prime Minister has disclosed.
Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas recently addressed the issue of replacing present Commissioner of Police Austin Williams with a foreigner, something he says his Cabinet has been considering for some time.
“We are looking at the leadership of the Police Force; succession plans are currently taking place. In terms of bringing in someone from outside as part of the restructuring of the leadership of the Police Force, we’ve contemplated that several times. We’ve had intense discussions, especially with the Police High Command, and we’ve done that a few years ago openly with members from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the NGOs,” he said.
While his Cabinet supported that idea, Dr. Douglas said the view was not shared by the Police High Command. He then reminded that it was a British Officer who helped restructure the Force in 1995, while serving in that capacity.
“There is a notion among the Heads that there is no need to bring any foreign principle officer here to serve as our Commissioner of Police. We are at the stage where there is a mindset among the leadership of the Force that there is no need to go to that again. As a government we have our own views, in fact, the Cabinet felt very strongly about that; that maybe what is required here is people from outside. If the rank and leadership is having a major problem, we need to consider that because they have to work with [the person],” he said.
Dr. Douglas informed that his government had opted to make the best use of available human resources, and local police officers should be afforded the opportunity to lead the law enforcement body. As a result, he said, the demand for efficiency among the top ranks was going to be higher than normal.
“If you think you can do it, show us you can do it; if you’re not doing it, you’re gonna go,” he stated
COP Williams’ fate with the Force was also discussed; the PM informing that Williams had already served two years past the mandatory retirement.
“The present commissioner has gone two years beyond his 55. Every time his birthday came around, as is required, he would apply to the government for an extension of service. He is presently on leave and I think before we make a final decision as to whether he continues, he should be asked to expire his leave and then consideration would be made. … Very shortly we will know whether Commissioner Williams will continue, or whether we will have a new Commissioner of Police. In good time, you should know,” Douglas said.
The nation’s leader and former Minister of National Security took time to extol the absent Williams for his contribution to the Force and to the populace.
“I want to commend him for the service he has provided to the Police Force in terms of its leadership over the last few years, and to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis in general,” he said.
Williams, who joined the Police Force in 1981, was appointed COP in January 2008 after Robert Jeffers demitted office.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
