Wolves in sheep’s clothing

Justice Frederick Bruce-Lyle is convinced that there are some bad elements in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. He made it abundantly clear that he was referring to a “small worthless minority,” but he was emphatic in pointing out that such persons ought to be avoided.

The Justice, Ghanaian born, came to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 1989 as a magistrate. Bruce-Lyle, a Vincentian citizen, by virtue of his marriage to a Vincentian born woman, was giving the graduation address at the 25th Passing out parade of recruits at the Old Montrose Police Station last Tuesday.{{more}}

Bruce-Lyle was straightforward with his comments to the new officers.

“After today, you will be imbued with a huge feeling of power. The uniform that adorns you presents an awesome feeling of power,’ the Justice outlined.

He advised the new peace officers that they were the “enforcers of the laws passed by our Parliament.”

But he warned them that “no one is above the law.”

“To be able to enforce the law effectively, you must be the first to uphold it,” the Justice stated.

He advised the young police officers that Judges and Magistrates had been entrusted with certain powers “by virtue of their functions. Yet they are expected to confine themselves within the four walls of the law.”

The Justice extended his analogy to Government Ministers, permanent secretaries, and civil servants. He added: “Nothing should make you, graduands, feel that as members of this Police Force and the major enforcers of the law, that you are above the law. All you have over and beyond the citizenry of this country is the authority conferred on you to uphold the law.”

The Justice said the new police officers are to carry out their duties “with respect, not arrogance and rudeness. With compassion, not callousness. With firmness, not compromise to the detriment of your position or your organisation.”

He pointed out that he had encountered in SVG and other countries where he had worked “instances of serious arrogance, rudeness, total disregard for authority, callousness and other negative syndromes from a small worthless minority within the Police Force.”

Bruce-Lyle warned the graduands: “You will come into contact with some of them in this police force. They may be your seniors or contemporaries. These persons have no commitment to the force except their own selfish agenda,” the Justice expounded.

Bruce-Lyle further pointed out that they were: “persons whose only aim is to attach the word ‘disrepute’ to the organisation.”

As far as the Justice was concerned, “some have fortunately retired. Others still remain in the Force. Beware of these wolves in sheep clothing. They have nothing to offer you but to enlist you to further their evil agenda to your own detriment.”

Justice Bruce-Lyle seemed certain about what he was speaking with the knowledge, garnered, no doubt, from his association with the Vincentian Police Force.

“I know who they are,” the Justice pointed out. He advised the new recruits that power is best used for the benefit of your fellow man or woman, not for the destruction of him or her. Use this power that is being bestowed on you wisely and with caution.”