Veteran officer is new acting Police Commissioner

This country has a new Commissioner of Police. As at one minute past midnight today, the baton passed from former Commissioner Keith Miller to Michael Charles, who has been appointed to act.{{more}}

The veteran policeman, who has more than 30 years experience under his belt, in an interview with SEARCHLIGHT yesterday, says he expects that there will be many challenges associated with his recent appointment.

“I know there are going to be a lot of challenges, and just like Solomon, I am asking God for the assistance from among the rest of the force,” Commissioner Charles, 53, told SEARCHLIGHT.

He said he is looking forward to getting the support of the men and women of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF).

“Because we have to work together,” said Charles, who has been described as a down- to-earth, people’s person.

“I am no better than anybody else; just that I am different and with the assistance of everybody, I see that we can work together for the betterment of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” he continued.

Charles joined the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) on February 28, 1981. Following his enlistment, he spent three months on the beat, before being transferred to the Special Services Unit (SSU).

He spent another nine and a half years at SSU, before he was transferred to the Narcotics Division, or Drug Squad, where he spent 10 years.

In 2001, following the General Elections, which saw the Unity Labour Party taking office, Charles served as head of security for Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves. He remained in this position until 2005, when he was promoted to the rank of Station Sergeant.

He was subsequently sent back to the Drug Squad where he was promoted to the rank of Inspector, followed by another promotion to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

Following his stint at the Drug Squad, Charles said that he was called upon to head a special branch, where he also served as the Commandant of the Police Training School at Old Montrose. He also headed the SSU shortly before being promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police.

“So, I was relieved of all those other posts and moved to the divisional office,” he said.

Charles further explained that he served in the capacity as Commissioner on at least two previous occasions; first while Deputy Commissioner of Police Reynold Hadaway was away pursuing studies and again in January 2013.

Charles takes over from outgoing COP Keith Miller, who spent his last day on the job yesterday, and will be on pre-retirement leave until later this year.

Miller, who was recruited into the RSVGPF in 1979, took the helm as the nation’s top cop in 2005, replacing then Commissioner William Harry. (DD)