By: Contributing Editor
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS March 18th 2017 – Former Prime Minister and Minister of National Security of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas was in attendance at the Officer’s Mess Dinner and Award Ceremony at the St. Kitts Marriott and Beach Resort on Friday night.
Dr. Douglas joined in extending heartfelt congratulations to retired officers of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force who were awarded for their years of service in the area of law enforcement in the Federation.
The ceremony was attended by members of the High Command of the Force as well as family and friends of the awardees. The awardees would have served for the greater part of their professional service in the Force under the tenure of the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas who held the ministerial portfolio for National Security and hence had responsibility for the Police Force.
Dr. Douglas was generous in his commendation of all the officers who held the ranks from Assistant Commissioner to that of Inspector of Police and who would have served in various Departments in the Force throughout their career.
He said that in their respective ways, they would have impacted the Forces’ efforts to implement the safety and security agenda as the Federation forged ahead in creating and sustaining an enabling environment for development which was a priority for his Labour Party Administration.
Dr. Douglas noted that the aggregate years of these officers who had responsibility for operations, intelligence, criminal investigations, immigration, special services among others, would have contributed significantly to the advancement of law enforcement as the nation managed to attain the leading position in economic growth and development in the sub region.
Dr. Douglas, who never missed an occasion of this nature during his tenure as Head of Government and Minister of National Security, never hesitated to socialize with the officers.
He equally lauded the spouses, parents, siblings and other family members for the support that they gave to the officers over the years that accounted, in large measure for their successful performance and the effective execution of their duties while in the Force.
The officers awarded were ACP Robert Liburd, ACP Vaughn Henderson (who is now serving as Crown Counsel), ACP Mireless Dolphin, Supt. Charles Smithen, Inspector Winston Wilkenson, Insp Rufus Webbe, Insp. Luther Kelly, Insp. Zanhestal Hector and Insp. Franklyn Belgrove,
Force Chaplain, Rev. Leroy Benjamin and Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Eulynis Morton were also among the list of awardees.
Dr. Douglas commended Commissioner of Police Mr. Ian Queeley for his leadership of the law enforcement agency and the other members of the organizing committee for their contribution towards the successful outcome of this evening’s event.
Photo: Rt Hon. Dr Denzil L. Douglas
