Commissioner of Police Michael Charles has dismissed as “outrageous” a call by an opposition lawmaker for him to resign because he attended a rally of the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP), dressed in red, the party’s colour.
The nation’s security chief’s comments to I-Witness News on Thursday came as MP for Central Kingstown, St. Clair Leacock, and Elroy Boucher, head of the Public Service Union (PSU) made separate calls for his resignation over what they described as partisan expressions.
Charles has been seen attending at least one rally of the ULP decked out in a red outfit made of star print material similar to that used to make headwear that some ULP candidates have worn on the platform.
In one photograph, he holds up his hand in the “4 inna row” campaign sign of the ULP.
But Charles told I-Witness News that he had also attended a rally of the main opposition New Democratic Party, dressed in that party’s colour — yellow.
“In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, I happen to be the Commissioner, the head of security, and from time to time, I will attend public meetings. In order to gain certain information and to see what is happening on the ground, you will have to blend in, hence the reason why I attended a public meeting and camouflage with the crowd,” Charles told I-Witness News.
“It is not only ULP public meetings I attend, and when I attend other public meetings, I don’t wear red. For example, the NDP public meeting at Sion Hill, I was there. I had on a yellow t-shirt. Two persons recognised me. I attended a public meeting for the Democratic Republican Party at Arnos vale but I did not wear that party’s colour,” he said. ”So with regard to calling for me to resign, I think it is outrageous.
Speaking Tuesday night at a rally of the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), MP for Central Kingstown and NDP vice-president, St. Clair Leacock also called on Charles to resign.
Leacock, who attained the rank of major in the local Cadet Force, noted that he was in command of all foreign forces in SVG on the night of Independence in 1979.
“We had a respected Police Force then…” he said, adding that Independence means that the nation is also responsible for its external affairs and defence, including national security.
“In that regard, it [was] never anticipated we could have in charge of a Police Force some people who could be so disrespectful — and “officers you all write it down”. Police officer talking the minutes, I am coming after Commissioner Charles and I am asking that he resign before the general election is called. He is a disgrace and a dishonour to every single person who has worn the uniform in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Leacock told the NDP meeting in Fountain.
“You cannot, as a Commissioner of Police, find yourself in red at a ULP meeting next to a man selling peanuts, or whatever the hell you selling and calling yourself a commissioner. And that only could happen when you don’t have confidence in yourself or your educational standard is so goddamn low that you have no self-respect. Get rid of him once and for all.”
Leacock, who is the NDP spokesperson on national security issues, said he had called Charles’ next in command of the Police Force “because I am coming after all of them.
“Because if he don’t want to move, they too will have to move. And if he lose, don’t mess with the New Democratic Party because the regional security force will be here the next morning to ensure the change of government.”
The opposition lawmaker, who is bidding for a second consecutive term as MP for Central Kingstown, said he will hold Charles responsible if any harm befalls him.
“You are a damn disgrace to people in uniform and get your act right now, once and for all,” Leacock said.
“Every commissioner who has served this country, from Anderson to Jackson to O’Garro, has had something to do, to build the respect of this nation. In 2015, we can’t have that.”
But Leacock suggested that Prime Minister and Minister of National Security is condoning Charles’ actions.
“But it is bad enough for Charles. It is worse for your prime minister. Because he sees you, he knows you and he doesn’t rebuke it. That’s why I say this is a failed state. It will be for the New Democratic Party to restore decency in this country…
“What you are demonstrating is the lowest of the lows. You are a disgrace to people in uniform. Total! And I owe you no apology. And what’s worse, the example you have set has allowed the Richard Brownes to do the same thing, and others are falling in line.”
Leacock called on NDP president, leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace to bring the matter to the attention of the Bar Association, the Christian Council, heads of government across the region and the Election Monitoring Committee in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“Because we, our parents, our grandparents, our great grandparents, have worked too hard to build an independent St. Vincent and the Grenadines for you (Charles) to destroy it today,” Leacock said.
“And I will make you a subject of discussion and debate. Do not put your hand around me in any way to figure that you are showing appreciation and love. Your love, at this time, is unimportant to my wellbeing. St. Vincent comes first and I will not allow my party, my colleagues, our security, our St. Vincent, this blessed land of ours, St. Vincent, my homeland to suffer at the fate of a person who destroys credibility, integrity,” Leacock said.
Charles, however, told I-Witness News it is not the first time that Leacock “is behaving like this with Commissioners.
“I can remember sometime ago with former Commissioner [Keith] Miller, he actually told Commissioner Miller he will be the next Minister of National Security and Miller has to watch it, when Miller was Commissioner. I am doing my job to the best of my ability. You won’t be able to please everybody, but I think I am doing a reasonable job,” Charles told I-Witness News.
At a news conference on Wednesday, president of the Public Service Union, Elroy Boucher, said Charles is supposed to be colour-blind, politically, and should have the confidence of citizens.
Boucher, however, said the police chief’s recent behaviour “has brought that office to a lower level.
“He is the head of security in the country and ought to behave in a more responsible and professional manner. And, at this stage, the country needs a new commissioner. And I am calling on the commissioner to resign,” Boucher said.
General elections are looming in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Ralph Gonsalves, has said he will allow the electorate to choose a new government by year-end, ahead of the March 2016 constitutional deadline.
“At a time like this, Vincentians need to feel conformable with the head of security. And people may think this is political because of the nature of what has been happening. But it speaks to the security of each and every Vincentian in this country, regardless of what party they may support,” said Boucher.
“And you tell me, if you see a commissioner behaving that way and you are supporting the Green Party, for instance, are you going to feel comfortable, reassured, that your security is taken seriously?”
Boucher noted that “people at the top” do have a right to choose who they want to support politically.
“But when you hold certain offices, you have to behave responsibly in those offices, because the office demands that. And so we have to condemn that sort of behaviour. It is all over Facebook. Everybody can actually see it. That is no secret in St. Vincent.
“But you can’t behave that way as the top cop. I don’t know what other part of the Caribbean that happens or even further than that. Regardless of who you support. I have not seen that sort of behaviour in any past commissioner in regards to who they are supporting and I couldn’t care who they support. But that is your private business, keep it private, because that is something that can affect even our very membership.”
The police chief said he did not hear the comments made by the PSU head.
This man is simply incredible!! Totally and completely beyond belief . If his evidenced behavior ( as in the photographs) was not a basis for his resignation or dismissal, then this response is. Can a Commissioner of Police really be so “dotish”, to use a good Vincy word? Really, Mr. Commissioner? You have to blend in? So a large number of the people attending the ULP Meetings, or for that matter, the NDP meetings, are really police officers “blending in”? If this thing was not so serious I would die laughing But it is serious, and not a laughing matter.
There is no doubt in my mind that , based on his behavior and then his explanation, the CoP has clearly revealed that he is out of his depth. He borders on being oafish! A friend of mine referred to him as being a clown. I take exception to that description. A clown behaves in a manner that is deliberately calculated to titilate, to provoke laughter, especially in children. The clown however is eminently sensible as a person, as that is the only way that he can produce the antics that cause such laughter. He is laughing at himself. Clearly, this was not the intention of the Commissioner either in his actions or explanations. He allowed his partisan bias to be openly expressed, and he concocted a most ridiculous and excretory reasoning for that inexcusable action.
This is not however surprising. It is the logical outcome of the ‘ALL ROADS TO PAPA’ syndrome that has been fostered and nurtured in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where the ULTIMATE LEADER can make all things happen, and can make wrong right, and in fact, can remove individual responsibility for behaviors. As long as the so-called ” COMRADE” sanctions it, anything is okay. He, who has taken onto himself Godlike attributes, can absolve all True Believers of their wrongs and thus they need not worry! The Great God Ralph Gonsalves has told them them that it is fine do things that otherwise be condemned, and if the Great God Gonsalves be for you, who can be against you? But the real joke about this is that this mere man, Gonsalves, is the real Clown, amusing thinking onlookers by his mouthings and antics, but having those who have surrendered their minds to him, really believing that he is the real thing. So, so, sad, if it was not frightening.
So our Commissioner simply cannot understand the errors of his ways, and rather than saying, ” mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maximus culpa’, that is ” I am guilty and responsible for my wrong actions”, he crafts a justification that will will make even the real God, not the make belief one, laugh. we mere mortals cannot laugh however. The implications of the behavior of the CoP are too grave for us to have the luxury of laughing. He has compromised a most vital public office, one that is in a sense even more important than that of Prime Minister, since he is the real highest guardian of of our freedom and security. That is, our essential well being as citizens of this country. Because of the gravity of this act, and his inability to understand that he has done wrong, because of his embrace of his make believe Great God Gonsalves, and thus, because he is not just playing the fool, that he has shown he is real thing, a greatbfool, then he must leave this high office.
Sad to say, many, if not most, Vincentians will see nothing wrong with Commissioner Charles’ party dress at a political meeting, testimony to how far we have fallen in morality, values, self-respect, and blind party allegiance.
As I have said before, the old Chinese proverb that the fish stinks from the head does not apply to our little society where the rot at the bottom has spread throughout the populace.
That the PM sometimes exhibits loutish behaviour is quite contrived: he well knows that most of his supporters love what used to be considered uncouth speech and manners since it replicates their everyday behaviour and brings him closer to them.
What used to be considered civilized behaviour is now viewed with suspicion, if not contempt, as the rot has consumed us all.
Mr. Commissioner, the excuse that are giving is full of crap. Since when are you as Commissioner go in crowds to get information? What happened to your other officers? And what information are you looking for at a political rally? It is a disgrace to the constabulary and the nation as whole that you are displaying this type behavior. No one entrusted with the security of any country and its citizens should align themselves to any political party. You have the God given right to vote for whatever party wish. However, in the interest of national security, you do not have the right to publicly campaign or show support to any political party. The security of this nation is entrusted in your hands and when you do that you are putting the security of this nation at risk. That is a conflict of interest, and you should have known better. You should be acting on behalf of the people of SVG and not on behalf of any party, whether political or otherwise, PERIOD! It shows a lack of judgment on your part, and for that you should resign.
Only in SVG can this foolishness can happen. Most time us Vincentians just sit there and make these guys just rub filt at our mouth and call it butter. We have to start making people entrusted with our country’s affairs accountable. This is a shame and disgrace to this country. Wake up my people and stop taking nonsense!
This poor excuse of a police officer would never be able to secure a job as a night watchman or security guard in the private sector.
For proof of this look at how few retired police ever get private sector employment. The most they are good for is pasturing a goat or two.
He is just another pup of the worthless dirty dog, they should both be made to clean the toilets at ‘Little Tokyo’ they both deserve the worst we can heap on them.
They are both stinkers.
The Gonsalves doctrine through the years was always known to be Marxist, but I now feel that it has become a fascist doctrine. What is the difference I hear you ask, well there is just a little difference, same scum bag behaviour but Marxism is without religion anti Christ and anti God, and fascism adopts Christianity and works the evil supposedly in the name of Jesus Christ. Does that ring true or is he just pretending to be a Christian to fool the people.
Remember his very words “if I work Obeah I only work Obeah for the Lord, that is either a fascist statement or the words of a total dick head.
Whichever we need to dump them both ASAP.
We have to be careful not to get to entwined in these smoke screen diversion pieces and miss what they are trying to currently hide.
Gonsalves is away wasting our money in Florida as a speaker at an event.
The airport will not be ready for December.
The whole of the upper echelons of our police force has been corrupted to the extent that ex Gonslaves police bodyguards are now holding key positions as chiefs of department for the Special Branch, the SSU, the RRU and sown all through the upper police officers.
Problem is decent young men will never get proper promotion in the force unless they join the ULP bum lickers club. What is also worrying it is the SSU and the RRU that collect the ballot boxes from the polling stations on Election Day. Sorry but I do not trust them to do that any more.
There is a booklet in PDF Hand Book for Polling Station Staff, Supporting a European Parliamentary election in Great Britain
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/164255/EPE-Polling-station-handbook.pdf
It is obvious to me that Police Chief Michael Charles is one of the biggest pratts that has ever walked the streets of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and is yet another pup of the “worthless dirty dog”.
C ben said that we rot from the bottom up. I agree whole-heartedly, which is as wrong a word as to be used when one is talking about moral degradation.
Then after rotting for a while fourteen years is while enough by unconscious or conscious, it makes no difference assimilation, or political osmosis, the bottom becomes the top and the top becomes the bottom.
Caveat: Perception in humans is the process whereby sensory stimulation is translated into organized experience. That experience, or percept, is the joint product of the stimulation and of the process itself. Encyclopaedia Britannica.
The one conduct that is lower than the Commissioner declaring his political hand is the Prime Minister accepting it. But then, the open declaration is not for him, direct. It is for us. For us to take heed and pay caution. You see, my organized experience from what I see, i.e. perception, is that the Prime Minister and the ULP hierarchy (and lower) would be fools not to know that the COP is already in the ULP bag as clearly demonstrated by his red ULP uniform, and his show of the four fingers, displayed to remove and doubts you might stupidly have had that he is not in the bag.
My organized experience, again, from what I see, is that the ULP also controls the Parliament you know with who (shh, is the biased Speaker); and the courts […]
We are saddled with a closet Big Brother. And becoming less closeted with the Commissioner kicking open the closet door.
Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” (John 9:39)
The Bar and the DPP
http://thevincentian.com/appointing-a-dpp-in-st-vincent-and-the-grenadines-p6663-108.htm