Federation’s Top Cop calls for greater business sector partnership in the fight against crime

Commissioner of Police on St. Kitts and Nevis Mr. Austin Williams hands over the keys to the five new vehicles he received from Premier of Nevis Hon. Joseph Parry moments earlier to Commanding Officer of the Nevis Police Division Inspector Hilroy Brandy

NEVIS (April 15, 2010) — A call was made to the Federation’s business sector to partner with the Police, in their continued efforts to provide effective security and a safe working and living environment for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Commissioner of Police in St. Kitts and Nevis Mr. Austin Williams made the call Monday when he received keys for five new Jeeps from the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) on behalf of the Nevis Police Division.

“We are committed to raising the level of service we provide to the Federation, therefore, I wish to make a loud appeal to corporate business to partner with us so that we can continue to provide effective security and create a safe environment to do business and live.

“The Police stand between our society moving forward and developing or falling backwards in chaos. With your help, we will continue to be proactive, increasingly present, visible and active in our communities,” he said.

The Commissioner thanked the NIA for its continued assistance and referred to the gift of new vehicles as the most visible contribution it had made with regard to resources to date.

“As we strive to provide much needed resources to make us efficient and effective in the way we perform our duties, I wish to thank all those who have assisted in this process so far, in particular the Nevis Island Government. [I] urge all to continue to negotiate and seek support for assistance to boost our limited resources,” he said.

Commissioner Williams also had words of advice for the operators of the new vehicles and told them to care for them as they would their personal property.

The Federation’s Police Commissioner also used the opportunity to reassure the public that their safety and security remained the Organisation’s foremost priority and anyone who attempted to disrupt the island’s peace and security would be dealt with according to law.

Meantime, Commanding Officer of the Nevis Division of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force Inspector Hilroy Brandy, registered his gratitude to the NIA when he delivered the Vote of Thanks.

“Hon. Premier, I wish to express my sincere thanks to you for your quick response to the request made by the Nevis Division of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force for purchasing these additional vehicles. The NIA has once again demonstrated its commitment to support the efforts of the Police to ensure that the island of Nevis is a place where residents and visitors can feel safe.

“The acquisition of these vehicles will enable the Police in the Nevis Division to better carry out the plans of the Strategic Planning Group and give the community the type of Police service that the community expects. Sir, we will be able to increase our mobile patrols and visible police presence in the community and be better positioned to respond more readily to reports,” he said.

Mr. Brandy also praised his Commander in Chief for his presence at the handing over ceremony. He said given the current situation regarding crime in the Federation,

“It is always a good booster to see our Commander lying in the trenches with his troops as we fight our battles,” he said as he thanked him for the encouragement he had given to the Division.