New Commissioner already earmarked – Gonsalves

With just about two weeks to go before Commissioner of Police Keith Miller goes on pre-retirement leave, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Ralph Gonsalves indicated that he already has someone in mind to replace Miller.{{more}}

The Prime Minister told the media at a press conference on Monday that he has “a clear idea” of who will fill Miller’s boots, when he takes vacation leave on July 15.

Miller officially retires later this year, in October, when he turns 55.

“We have a good commissioner. He’s coming towards retirement, and you want to know whether he is going to be replaced by another good person, and you would want to know hopefully you can get somebody better than him.

“He has done a lot for the police force and for law and order, and I think when he is retired and people take a dispassionate view, even his critics, you will find that Keith Miller has done a pretty good job,” Gonsalves said.

He said that although he has already earmarked someone to be the next COP, he was not going to say more on the subject.

Last week, attorney Grant Connell called for a woman to take the reins of the constabulary.

He made the call after being at odds with Miller and some members of the police force, in relation to a client, Dwaine Sandy, who was arrested, released, re-arrested and re-released, while police conducted investigations into a robbery and shooting here two weeks ago.

“Grant may say something for the headlines and a polemical purpose and so forth,” the Prime Minister noted.

“I have a purpose which is larger… to see the proper maintenance of law and order, and to do things in a methodical and orderly way, which is sustainable….

“I don’t think that the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines are concerned with if you have a woman on top of the police force, or if you don’t a have a woman at the top of the police force. What they want to have is a good person at the top of the police force.”

The Prime Minister said that he had no doubt that the time will come when this country has a female Commissioner of Police.(JJ)