KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, Feb. 28 — Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Michael Charles and four other police officers will on Friday mark their 32nd anniversary as members of the local constabulary.
This feat comes on the heels of Charles’ stint as acting Commissioner of Police from Dec. 10, 2012, to Jan. 23, 2013.
The four other police officers who are also celebrating their 32nd anniversary as members of the Royal St.Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force on the same date are ASP Elton Jackson, acting head of the Eastern Division; ASP Sydney James, head of the Criminal Investigations Department Major Crime Unit and Criminal Records Office; Inspector Anthony Humphrey, second in command at the Eastern Division and Inspector Glenford Gregg, a prosecutor at the Magistrates’ Court.
Charles, Jackson, James, Humphrey and Greigg are the only five police officers remaining in the Police Force from a contingent of 20 recruits, who left St. Vincent and the Grenadines on March 1, 1981, to be trained in Barbados.
“I am humbled to be celebrating this achievement,” Charles said in an interview.
He said he has witnessed a lot of positive changes in the Police Force with the advent of modern technology, which in his belief makes policing easier.
“I will like to see the Police Force work towards delivering a standard in terms of crime fighting on par with the quality of Scotland Yard. It can be done, especially with new plans to implement the crime scene investigation unit, along with a set of new initiatives,” Charles said.
He added that he would encourage police officers to take their training seriously, and, as they pursue their education, to allow the sky to be their limit.
Charles has served the RSVGPF in several capacities, including six months on beat and patrol; 10 years with the Special Services Unit; and another decade at the Drug Squad. From 2001 to 2005, he was in charge of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’ security detail. He had the opportunity to head the Special Branch Department as well as hold the post of officer in charge of the SSU and Commandant of the Old Montrose Police Training School.
He, however, said his greatest achievement as a police officer came in 2007 when he was asked to command the Independence Parade, which he did until 2010.
He noted with the exception of his last two appointments, which are in acting capacities, Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police, he has attained all his other ranks.
Charles said being a police officer has allowed him to travel to several countries and has afforded him the opportunity to meet former President of Cuba, Fidel Castro, and Vladimir Putin in 2010, when he held the position of Prime Minister of Russia.
Charles has six children: Chesley Charles, Nakiedis Charles, Kajedra Charles, Zoya Charles, Nia Charles, and Miju Charles.
(Police Public Relations & Complaints Dept.)