Message from Commissioner CG Walwyn

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts– 8th July, 2013–I am Commissioner CG Walwyn of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force. I was born in this Federation but grew up in the United States of America. I was afforded an opportunity to take early retirement from a law enforcement career in Texas and Florida and was very highly decorated during my 27 year career. As a matter of fact the President of Mexico has requested my presence to be issued a medal for the leadership he has seen in the Federation since I have been here. I am here to provide the service law enforcement. My record speaks for itself. I uphold the law; I do what is right.

During my appointment as Commissioner of Police we have seen an improvement in police morale, police training, cooperation with other agencies, and the establishment of an internal brotherhood in law enforcement. As a matter of fact, we just completed a Forensic Nursing Course where our nurses and law enforcement officers were trained in methods of case preparation and presentation to protect our youngest nationals, the children. Tomorrow, we are starting another course on ballistics and have invited other Eastern Caribbean nations to be here to participate in the training. We have come a long way in the methods under which we have operated and will continue to train and seek partnerships to improve the safety and security conditions of the Federation. For that to happen, we need everyone of us as citizens, to do our part in maintaining the peace that we have become known for in the international community.

Over the last 30 days I have noticed an increase in the violent rhetoric of some persons who are either seeking public office, or who are supporting those seeking public office. This rhetoric has been tied to certain individuals within the Federation and I have asked all sides to reduce the rhetoric as the hype causes problems in policing and community interactions. This was experienced in the recent malicious damage in Sandy Point, the two stabbings the day that persons diverted from the approved route for the recent march, and the illegal and unruly gathering in front of the Basseterre Police Station. This was punctuated with very violent rhetoric made by a person who later recanted the violent rhetoric.

Nothing is gained by adult men and women, displaying such negative behaviour in a society that is known for being peaceful and loving. I have reached out to all parties to stop the violent rhetoric. I am scheduled to have a meeting with the evangelical coalition. We have to stop whether openly, or silently, supporting this violent rhetoric.

The police is the last Bastion between those who would seek anarchy, and those who are law abiding. I believe the police exercised extreme patience during the last march. The police have now published the code of conduct when parliament is in session. We ask all citizens, and we stress all citizens, to abide by the code of conduct. The Police are here to uphold the law and keep citizens and residents safe. It is very evident that there are persons whose sole intent is to create chaos.

The police will enforce the law. The police will continue to maintain peace and security at all times. No unlawful behaviour will be tolerated. Please abide by the law; the police will not be intimidated!

Please be advised that traffic will be diverted around government headquarters and the Basseterre Police Station. The police will not become involved in the political affray of the Federation, but citizens will not be permitted to breach security neither at Government Headquarters, the Basseterre Police Station or anywhere where such arrangements are in place in the Federation.

The public is hereby asked to abide by the law. Persons failing to do so will be dealt with according to the full extent of the law.

God bless you, and God Bless the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.