Published 15 August 2019
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Prime Minister Harris: Government committed to build an elite police force
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, August 15, 2019 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — Government of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is committed to build the country’s Police Force to be ranked among the elite police forces not only in the Caribbean, but in the world, according to Prime Minister, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris.
Dr Harris who is also the Minister of National Security made the remarks on Wednesday August 14 when he delivered feature remarks at the 42nd graduation ceremony of course Number 43 of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, which was held at the Police Training Complex in New Town.
“Our intention is to build the police force, our police force, to be regarded and ranked among the elite police forces, or police services, not just in the Caribbean, but indeed in the world,” said the Honourable Prime Minister. “In other words we want our police here to become the example, the best example, of what a well-managed police force ought to be.”
Prime Minister Harris added: “We want the people of the Federation to hold our police in high regard based on their integrity and impartial practice. Only with an appearance of an actual professionalism will you all earn the respect of the community. As new police officers this should be your guiding principle at all times.”
The 31 recruits (28 males and three females) were congratulated by the Prime Minister for officially joining the ranks of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force as a new batch of constables. He told them that it was with a sense of pride and delight that he welcomed them as they started out on a career that promises exciting challenges and growth opportunities on top of genuine satisfaction and purpose.
“The composition of this group is testimony to the determination of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force to recruit qualified and interested young police officers,” said Prime Minister Harris. “The group of recruits who are graduating this afternoon consists of nationals from St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, St. Vincent’s and the Grenadines, Dominica, and Grenada.”
The Team Unity Government, since coming into office, has ensured that more law enforcement officers are trained. According to the Minister of National Security, over the last ten years there have been seven passing out parades with only two courses (Number 37 and 38) producing 48 police officers in the period 2010 to 2014.
“In contrast, during the period 2015-2019 we delivered five courses – course 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 now, producing 167 constables,” said Dr Harris. “The government is committed to training, to ensure that our police officers can operate at the highest quality of performance at every occasion when called upon to do so.”
The ceremony was held under the patronage of Governor General’s Deputy Her Excellency Mrs Hyleta Liburd, who was accompanied by her husband Mr Elmo Liburd. Present at the ceremony included Speaker of the National Assembly, the Hon Michael Perkins, and the Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Shawn Richards.
Others present were Senior Minister and Minister of Labour the Hon Vance Amory, Minister of Public Infrastructure the Hon Ian Patches Liburd, the Attorney General the Hon Vincent Byron, Minister of State for Health the Hon Wendy Phipps, Deputy Speaker Senator the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, Ambassador His Excellency Mr Sam Condor, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Mr Osmond Petty, Acting Commissioner of Police Mr Hilroy Brandy and members of the Police Command.
ENDS
Pix captions:
1: Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, delivering feature address at the 42nd Graduation Ceremony of Course Number 43 of the RSCNPF.
2: Governor General’s Deputy Her Excellency Mrs Hyleta Liburd, Prime Minister Harris, and Acting Commissioner of Police Hilroy Brandy inspect the parade put on by the recruits.
3: The two platoons of course Number 43 put on a display in front of GG’s Deputy Her Excellency Mrs Hyleta Liburd, Prime Minister Harris, other officials, and family members.
