Thirty-four officers promoted

Thirty-four police officers in the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force have been promoted, effective September 1, 2008.

Leading the list is Superintendent of Police Eckron Lockhart who has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police.{{more}}

Head of the Criminal Investigations Department Brinsley Ballantyne has created a bit of history by becoming the first person of Carib descent to be promoted to the rank of Superintendent. The former Assistant Superintendent said he is extremely happy with the promotion and it has always been his dream to become a superintendent. The 31-year police veteran said that since taking over as head of the CID on March 12, this year, he has worked extremely hard with the fight against crime. “I just want to thank God for this, and I will be continuing to work hard,” an elated Ballantyne stated.

Considered to be one of the best detectives in the force, Station Sergeant Sydney James has been promoted to the rank of Inspector. The soft-spoken cop stated that he is thankful. The Guyanese born who has Vincentian parents has served in the local constabulary for the past 27 years. The current head of the Major Crimes Unit is also an active member of the International Homicide Investigators Association (IHIA). He was presented with a certificate last year in North America, giving him the authority to investigate homicides in any part of the world.

Another Station Sergeant who is now an Inspector is …Station Sergeant Nigel Butcher. The prosecutor at the Serious Offences Court said that he felt good when he heard that he was promoted. The 20-year stalwart, who has a passion for prosecuting, spent most of his years at the Calliaqua Police Station, where his love for the courts started to evolve. Butcher told reporters that the only ingredients for success are hard work and discipline. Inspector Butcher took the opportunity to thank his staff and the Magistrates for all the support.

Prosecutor at the Family Court Hazel-Ann Ruth Jacobs was also promoted to the rank of Inspector. Inspector Jacobs gave the Almighty thanks and praise for her achievement and said that she will continue to serve and do her best.

Assistant Superintendents of Police Horace Williams, Michael Charles and Stanford Hamilton have also been promoted to the rank of Superintendent. Inspectors Eric Browne, Carlos Sampson, Christopher Benjamin and Dolby Castello and Station Sergeant Isaiah Browne have been promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police. Station Sergeants Elton Jackson, Calbert Straker, Glory Ambris and Wynford Ellis, and Sergeants Kenneth John and Adolphus Delpesche are now Inspectors of Police.

Twelve new Station Sergeants have been named. They are Acting Station Sergeant C Craigg, Sergeants 152 Francis, 406 Lee-James, 515 Samuel, 227 Hall, 216 Dougan, 467 James, 221 Haynes; Corporals 501 Joseph, 359 John, 450 Fergus and acting Corporal 612 Williams.

Sub Lieutenant Ralphie Ragguette of the Coast Guard has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and Chief Petty Officer Cosmos George has been promoted to Sub-Lieutenant.

Assistant Superintendent of Police David McDowall has been appointed to act as Superintendent of Police.

Another batch of Constables and Corporals will be promoted next week. (KW)