Attorney General administers oaths to new Police Commissioner

Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Hon. Patrice Nisbett (right) congratulates new Commissioner of Police Mr. Celvin G. Walwyn.

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 1ST 2011 (CUOPM) – The Federation’s new top cop, Mr. Celvin G. Walwyn, was sworn in Thursday morning as the Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.

The oaths of office and allegiance were administered to Mr. Walwyn by Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett in the presence of Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Astona Browne; the High Command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, family members and former colleagues in the Parliamentary Lounge, Government Headquarters.

In a national broadcast Wednesday night, Prime Minister Douglas said he expects that the newly recruited Police Commissioner will help to modernize the Force and enhance discipline among the various ranks in the Force.

Dr. Douglas said he hopes that Mr. Walwyn will also boost the effectiveness of the Force in fighting crime, bringing criminals to justice and carrying out the overall mandate of the Police Force.

Commissioner of Police Mr. Celvin Walwyn (seated right) with Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Stafford Liburd (seated left) along with Assistant Commissioners of Police, Mr. Ian Queeley (standing left) and a Mr. Joseph Richardson (standing right).

“In addition, today by our Parliamentary debates, we are passing the Gang (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2011, which will dramatically enhance our capacity to undermine and counter dysfunctional gang activities including the many crimes committed by our young people in gangs. But these actions along with the many initiatives that we have been introducing in recent months to combat crime, must be bolstered by even greater accountability to our people, through the monitoring, general policy oversight, and regular reporting to the people by policy-makers occupying the highest levels of Government,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He promised that the Government will do its part to eradicate this scourge of crime and violence in St. Kitts and Nevis.

“We take full responsibility for effective law enforcement in our country. Indeed, we have always identified law and order as well as the protection of our people and their property as a critical objective of the Government. We are convinced that the initiatives we have introduced, and will continue to introduce, should reduce crime dramatically,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

Dr. Douglas noted that the fact that the criminals are responsible for the crimes they have committed.

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Celvin G. Liburd with his wife, Antionette and three daughters following the swearing in ceremony. (Photos by Erasmus Williams)

“Those who have committed these heinous crimes, especially homicides, will not be allowed to rest easy. No option under the law will be excluded in tracking down these killers, in charging them and punishing them. The tears, pain and suffering of the families of the victims must not be in vain,” said Dr. Douglas, who added that the law enforcement agencies require the full support of the community.

“Moreover, we must continue to pursue our long-term initiatives aimed at crime prevention and remove the culture of fear from our communities. It is our homes and our schools that are the factories that produce criminals. Hence, my Government will continue to refine our education system and support our families through training in parenting and appropriate intervention where necessary,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He said government was also pursuing an expansive social agenda aimed at getting to the root of crime and violence and countering deviant behaviour.

“I encourage our people, our families, our institutions, our Non-Governmental Organizations, our Churches, our Schools, our political parties to lend a helping hand. This is not the time for political haggling. It is time for Action on every front,” said Prime Minister Douglas.