Commissioner of Police offers another olive branch to gang members to leave the gangs

St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas (left) greets Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police, Mr. Celvin .G. Walwyn.

BASSETERRE, St. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 15TH 2011 (CUOPM) – Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, Mr. C.G. Walwyn is holding out the olive branch to gang members and a chance to leave.

“I am not now, nor ever will be, tolerant of the actions of the criminal element in our Federation. I want them to know that while we are willing to help them, and have been dialoguing with them for the last two weeks, the wrath of the law will fall on them, if they are linked to the perpetration of any violent crime in this Federation. We are still holding out the olive branch to those of you who are willing to leave the gangs,” said Mr. Walwyn at the 13th Annual Prime Minister’s Independence Lecture Series at the Methodist Church Hall on Wednesday night.

Mr. Walwyn, who assumed command of the police force on the first of September 2011 said some gang members have made contact with him and others have sent messages to him.

“I want to help you leave the gangs, but I cannot be tolerant of your actions. I have received your messages and I appreciate what you are doing. However, let me be clear, I do not want any more mothers crying; please let us keep it that way. Do the right thing; stop the killing! You understand me and I understand you,” said Walwyn, a 25-year law enforcement officer who has worked in Texas and Florida and the son of a former St. Kitts and Nevis Police Inspector.

(Left to right) – Mrs. Walwyn; Speaker of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly Hon. Curtis Martin; Resident High Court Judge, His Lordship Mr. Justice Errol Thomas and St. Kitts and Nevis’ Governor General His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian.

Walwyn told the audience which included Governor General, His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian; Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas and Resident Judge, His Lordship Mr. Justice Errol Thomas and members of the Diplomatic Corps, that St. Kitts and Nevis is now a country where the diversity in the respective communities is changing as the twin-island Federation develops as an independent nation.

“It is a diversity that points us back to our own heritage where tolerance prepares us for the opportunities, successes, and challenges of life, as we seek to cope with the differences in life itself. Quite frankly, the environment in which our children have to grow up these days varies significantly from that of generations ago,” said Walwyn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice; a Master of Science degree in Security Management and is pursuing a Doctoral degree in Public Safety – Leadership.

He said that parents and community leaders must expose their children to the varied differences in human behaviour so that when they take their places among their peers in society, in schools and in the world of work, they would experience the anticipated success that would augur well for their own self advancement.

Students of the Verchild’s High School and the Cayon High School were among the audience on Wednesday night.

Saying that he has had the opportunity to witness the display of much irrationalism, the new Commissioner of Police said young men are resolving their differences with guns and ammunition and failing to exhibit that tolerance that would enable them to leap over the precipice of physical, social, economic and spiritual diversity and embrace peace, oneness, and love for humanity.

“Young people are becoming tolerant with the wrong things in life. Drug addiction starts with some degree of tolerance but this tolerance has a negative connotation which is not acceptable in most societies, such as ours,” said Mr. Walwyn, a former Interim Chief of Police and Deputy Sheriff in Texas and Deputy First Class at the Orange County Sheriff Office in Orlando, Florida.