COP Miller celebrated as he goes into pre-retirement

Fri Jul 19, 2013

Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Ralph Gonsalves has described Commissioner of Police Keith Miller, who proceeded on pre-retirement leave on Monday, as an excellent Commissioner of Police.{{more}}

Gonsalves, along with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Godfred Pompey, and Security Advisor to the Prime Minister Sir Vincent Beache, were among several persons who expressed best wishes to COP Miller during his last meeting with the Officer Corps of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force on Friday, July 13.

Best wishes also came from Michael Charles, who was appointed Commissioner of Police, in an acting capacity, with effect from July 16, as well as Deputy Commissioner of Police Reynold Hadaway and Assistant Commissioner of Police Frankie Joseph.

The Prime Minister credited COP Miller for leading an organization that has done fairly well when compared to other states throughout the Caribbean in solving homicides and reducing crime throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines. COP Miller also came in for commendations from the Prime Minister for overseeing the expansion of the Coastguard’s assets.

Gonsalves said he doesn’t think that the nation has heard the last of Keith Miller. He said that he believes when Commissioner Miller completes his Bar exam and is entitled to practice law, there will be several positions open to him in the Caribbean.

“People will love to get an experienced policeman, who has legal training, to practice at the Bar to be a magistrate, to work at this or that security agency in the region. There is IMPACS, there is RSS, all sorts of different agencies,” said the Prime Minister.

Pompey, delivering remarks at the ceremony, said COP Miller has achieved a lot during his tenure as Commissioner of Police.

“I thank him for the support that he has given to me,” said Pompey, admitting that there were challenges at times. The PS said that he will miss COP Miller when one considers the relationship that they developed during the past years.

In his last meeting with the general body of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police, Commissioner Miller thanked God for preserving him during his tenure, as well as Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Ralph Gonsalves, for having confidence in him and for advising the Police Service Commission to appoint him Commissioner of Police.

He then encouraged the general body to build on his achievements during his tenure. He recalled having consultations throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines with senior police officers and then Crown Counsel Saboto Caesar, who is the current Minister of Agriculture, towards soliciting feedback and recommendations for developing special and adequate laws to deal more effectively with the problems of theft of agricultural produce and livestock.

He also mentioned among his accomplishments initiating the drive to have community policing in St Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as ensuring that the Pan Against Crime Programme was implemented, as mandated by the Ministry of National Security.

He said during his tenure as Commissioner of Police, which spanned eight years, and brought his years of service to 34 years and 10 months, he served as part of the CARICOM negotiating team for the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), regulating the international trade in conventional arms, from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.

He said he was able to have a musical compact disc produced in celebration of the Police Music Band’s 60th anniversary.

When COP Miller officially retires on October 31st, he will be leaving as the most senior Commissioner of Police in the Caribbean since Darwin Dottin retired as Commissioner of Police in Barbados.(Police Public Relations)