Police Commissioner Walwyn: Expect more changes in 2012

Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, Mr. C. G. Walwyn (right) presenting a plaque to retiring Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Richardson.

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JANUARY 12TH 2012 (CUOPM) – With just over four months into the job, Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, Mr. C. J. Walwyn is promising more changes in the 51-year-old law enforcement agency.

“As 2012 goes forward, there will be some other changes in the agency,” said Commissioner Walwyn, who pointed out that when the first set of changes were made, there were those who said ‘the new commissioner just come here and do not know what is going on and making changes without letting no body know what he doing.’

“I heard the complaints. But after 90 days, I am sure that those who were at the high point of criticizing, are now seeing the fruits of the change,” said Commissioner Walwyn during a lecture at which retiring Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Richardson was lauded for his 33years of service to policing.

Mr. Walwyn told the rank and file that unlike some other government agencies, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force does not have to worry about middle managers fighting change within the organization.

“Over the last 60 days, the Gazetted Officers have positioned themselves behind me in the support of the initiatives I have introduced in the fight against crime in the federation and the mission of taking our streets back from the thugs who are trying to destroy the safety and security of our nation. I want to thank the high command for their unwavering support,” said Walwyn, adding:

“The high command would like to thank the men and women in the Gray and Black and the Men and Women in the Black and White, and the Men and Women in the Blue and the Black uniforms for without your dedication and devotion to duty, the agency could not have seen or experience a reduction in crime for the last 90 days.”

“We thank you for all you do. SSU, Delta, Drug Squad, and the rank and file who supported our efforts to provide a safe carnival season. Thank you. It could not have happened without you,” said Mr. Walwyn.

He said that the changes that are to come will raise the level of accountability another notch and will place the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police back into the graces of the community who had long lost confidence in the police force.

“That has changed and will continue to change in2012,” said the police chief, who disclosed, “As I was entering the Prime Minister’s Gala, I received a phone call and did not answer as I was about to enter the event. The person sent me a text. In that text they wrote that a car just hit a bus and took off. The person followed the car, text me the license plate and told me the persons name and address. The person was arrested in less than an hour after the wreck. As I was on the way to work, I saw the person walking to his bail hearing.”

He said the citizens are now feeling comfortable in talking to the police again and “we as an agency, need to continue nurturing this support from the community. We must remember that community policing is not a unit in the agency, it is the philosophy of the agency.”

“As we move forward into 2012, as individual officers representing the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, we must remember that we must uphold the mission and values of the agency. Together, in2012, we must strive together to achieve a more professional agency, one that the public will look up to and want to be a part of,” said Commissioner Walwyn.

He used the opportunity to thank each and every member of the police force.

“Thank you for a very good last quarter of 2011, and I look forward to leading you into an even more productive 2012 with the forthcoming training and exercises that will be implemented. Thank you for letting me serve as your leader, and thank you for putting Country Above Self. God bless you and God bless our Federation,” Mr. Walwyn said.