KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – Past performance is not a criterion for promotion in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.
And Commissioner of Police Keith Miller is encouraging older members of the constabulary not to resign or retire on the job.
“We have to draw a line here. We have to have a clear distinction between service and performance. If you are a senior and you are a sleeper on the job, you are not performing, obviously, you have to encourage persons, young persons who are performing,” Miller said last week.
He was a guest of a radio talk show in which he responded to callers’ questions about the 900-member constabulary, which he has been leading for six years.
“… there are young people who are shining,” Miller said, adding that cops believe that length of service is a criterion for promotion.
“You can have 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 years but you are relaxing. You cannot rely on past performance. Policing is a process. It doesn’t stop. It is a dynamic thing. So you have to work until you resign or retire,” said Miller, who has been a cop for 33 years.
“So, I am encouraging persons who are senior, do not resign or retire on the job. So, for the younger persons who are showing that work aptitude and ability, I am going to build that platform for them to climb on.
“I’m encouraging young people. When the senior persons notice younger people are really climbing up and the reasons why they are climbing up, they will wake up and attempt to climb up again. You can resign or retire on the job,” Miller reiterated.