The baton of honour has been passed to a new commissioner of police, Renold Hadaway.
On Tuesday evening, August 2nd, 2016, Michael Charles, who served as commissioner of police from 2013 to 2016, handed the reins of leadership of the Royal St.Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force over to Hadaway at a retirement ceremony held for Charles at the Police Canteen, Kingstown.
Several dignitaries including Prime Minister Dr.Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, the Minister of National Security, were in attendance.
Dr.Gonsalves praised Charles for his tenure and described him as a patriotic Vincentian. Gonsalves also said an official ceremony will be held soon to recognize Charles.
Commissioner Hadaway delivering remarks said Charles is being honoured for 35 years ‘hard years’ of public service. He lauded Charles for establishing a good relationship with the public and described it as one of Charles’ strengths.
Commissioner Hadaway said, “He (Charles) has made the organization a better organization. We cannot operate as an organization in a vacuum,” said Commissioner Hadaway as he spoke of building bridges with the public in the fight against crime.
Commissioner Hadaway promised like Charles he will also have a good relationship with the public. He said on his very first day he accepted visits from some 35 persons of all walks of life who had visited his office to wish him well in his new capacity of commissioner of police.
Remarks were also made by His Lordship Justice Brian Cottle; Judith Jones-Morgan, Attorney General; Colin Williams, Director of Public Prosecutions; Godfred Pompey, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security; Carla James, head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and Colin John, the new deputy commissioner of police.
Jones-Morgan said Charles was always a pleasant person and her own success as Attorney General and that of the judicial staff came about because of Charles’ contribution.
“This Commissioner of Police had always gone above and beyond to ensure the judicial staff officials are taken care of. He was quietly efficient. As the Bible says ‘well-done thou good and faithful servant’,” said Justice Cottle.
Hadaway’s tenure to act as Commissioner of Police will run from August 1st, 2016.
