I write to you not with any thoughts of victimisation, political favouritism or malice towards the current commissioner and deputy commissioner of police, but instead I write to you on a matter which I thought would have been an obvious decision without controversy regarding the future leadership of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.
I’ve listened to you keenly throughout the campaign and most recently during your interview on Hot 97. You have mentioned and continue to reiterate that you are not in the business of victimisation. To solidify this point you reminded workers that you do not care how they got their job but rather how they do their job. As a supporter of your party and government, I applaud you for this.
However, I must state that while I agree with this sentiment, I equally agree that persons who occupy certain positions who are not qualified to do so and have resulted in poor or substandard performance should be replaced. How can your party campaign on the issue of increased crime and violence over the years but seek to keep in position or is hesitant in removing the persons who have overseen the institution responsible for crime fighting, or, in one case, even conceive of elevating one such individual to lead the said organisation?
I do not think there is a need for me to remind you or to even mention to you that the Constitution has made the appointment of the commissioner and deputy commissioner of police a political one. In doing so, the Constitution has placed this responsibility solely on your shoulders to advise the governor general on the appointment of the persons whom you have selected to fill these positions. I mentioned this to enlighten readers who might not be familiar with this section of the Constitution.
I had the privilege of reading an article written by Station Sergeant of Police Brenton Smith. I thought by now I would have been addressing him by a different rank. Smith remains the only police officer to hold a master’s degree in police leadership and management. He is a police officer who served as the chairman of the Police Welfare Association for many years, championing the causes of the members of the RSVGPF. He is a man who was vehemently pursued and investigated in an attempt to arrest him for fighting for these rights of police officers, by one whose name is now being mentioned to become commissioner of police.
Let us not forget that this is the same Brenton Smith who stood with the men and women of the police force and was fired as a result of the wicked, draconian vaccine mandate. Let us not forget that this is the same Brenton Smith who decided to throw himself at the mercies of the electorate by becoming the secretary general of a political party that was in opposition and worked tirelessly to help that political party to form government. It cannot be said that he cannot be the COP because he served as secretary general of a political party. Then the question would then be, “How can he serve as a station sergeant of police?”
Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday, you have stated that you will be leading a government that listens. I am not asking you to only listen to me or to the public. Still, I am asking you to listen to the rank and file of the RSVGPF. I am sure that if you listen, you will hear who they would like to lead them and certainly who they DO NOT WANT TO BE THEIR COMMISSIONER. A failure to do so might just see the manifestation of the prophecy of the leader of the opposition: the descent of the New Democratic Party government might just start within the RSVGPF.
A Keen Observer
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People who have an opinion should really disclose their identity. If you want a reader to respect your opinion and to take on board those opinions, we should really know the source of information. Hiding behind a synonym is cowardice. If you won’t put your name to it, don’t write it.
To appoint Brenton from station Sgt to Commissioner is great leap. People do not understand what it takes to keep the moral and military structure in place. I have suggested before that a External leader may be best for the police at this time to purge it of its politics and to send the correct message to serving officers that their first duty is to the constitution and the state not a politician. The entire process appointing a commissioner needs review. Having said that there is a COP in post he was appointed by the previous regime do you just fire him because of that or do you let him serve out his contract. We do not even know the other variables. We don’t know of his qualities or qualifications. In the military some officers go directly to Sanhurst and Westpoint and others come up through the ranks. They then spend a short stint at Sanhurst just to get the essential officer life sorted. Soldiers will tell you how far better motivated they are by the officers who have been in the field and mid with them than those rookies who come directly from Sanhurst
This writer struggles with critical thinking. They stated that new government has already said that job performance is the deciding metric with regard to whether or not someone will keep their position. So if as they say, the persons already have a poor track record due to being unqualified for the role, why would they assume that the positions will be kept? The government has not been in power for 2 months yet. Assessments and investigations take time. All Vincentians expect restructuring and there’s no reason to assume that won’t happen.
After years of enforced silence and coercive compliance, the RSVGPF’s voice now rings out with a menacing tone.
Once it ain’t Buju!!!
I would like to agree totally with the writer’s position on the subject matter.
Point being; based on the modus operandi of the past regime, promotions were not done on merit. If they were, then Mr. Smith easily could have been at the ranks now held by Buju or any other top brass in the RSVGPF, given his academic achievements as well as his years in policing (approx. 27 years). Mr. Smith also served in critical roles, and have undergone numerous military training regionally and has also attended forums and other prestigious police functions abroad.
He is well rounded in not just policing, as he has served as President of the Police Cooperative Credit Union, which emphasises his financial acumen, ability to manage and his diversity in dealing with people in general; not just policemen. One can go on, but I think the argument for him as COP versus what currently obtains in the local media amounts form over real substance!
PS: I am no coward, I choose to write under whatever name pleases me …. Too bad for who thinks otherwise. Tuff!
Wow!!! Some Vincentians never seize to amaze me. So Friday is the scapegoat that everybody now has a voice to tell what to do or what they feel is best for him to take actions on????? Lemme ask this when Ralph was there,not one soul and I repeat not one soul had this much courage to speak. Ello aryo leave di men let them do their jobs as promised,suddenly everyone has an open opinions.
Everybody have the most to say at this point,everybody geh tongue now,to lift up and drop as they feel like
As a former Police Officer, Station Sergeant to Commissioner is unheard of. Put politics aside, this is a poor decision. Mr Friday to succeed you must surround yourself with individual Who have the experience, technical and Human relations skills to be a high performer. An organization is made up of individuals and groups and if either element is missing the organization will not succeed. Go and listen to the rank and file and select the best person for the post based on merit and skills.
I agree with you Marlon. In fact, I will go further and say that such things should not be published when written and submitted as an anonymous person. Of course, there are times when this would not be feasible, when they may be subject to political spite, disfavour or persecution. We know that under this new NDP government and their promises and undertakings whoever wrote this article will not be persecuted. So why hide?