RSVGFP awards outstanding police officers, bus drivers

Eleven police officers and four omnibus drivers were on Wednesday awarded for their outstanding performance during 2015 by the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVPF) Traffic Department.

PC 870 Kaliym Woods was awarded Most Outstanding Traffic Officer in the year 2015.{{more}}

Woods, who is described as hard-working, well mannered, always calm and composed, interacts well with his peers and one who leads by example, was enlisted as a member of the RSVPF, November 11, 2010.

Since then, he has had brief stays at the CID and the beat and patrol before he was transferred to the traffic branch.

Meanwhile, van drivers Abdul Handi Muhammed, Orlanzo Browne, Clarence Pierre and Trevor O’Garro were awarded Outstanding Omnibus Drivers of the year.

Other awards included: Most Improved Traffic Officer, which went to PC 897 Keshawn Lewis; PC 814 Jason Young was awarded Best at Investigations; ACP Betteria Fisher was awarded Outstanding Traffic Warden, while APC Elsa Hunt was awarded Most Outstanding Traffic Warden.

Police Constables 814 Jason Young, 863 Kalique Gonsalves, and 345 Augustus Grant were awarded for outstanding performance during 2015.

The Most Outstanding Driver and Mechanic went to PC 54 Ian Ballantyne and PC 116 Rochan Bascombe, respectively.

Speaking at the awards, president of the National Omnibus Association (NOBA) Anthony Bacchus congratulated his NOBA drivers on being awarded, telling them to keep up their good work.

“I hope the others look on and take…some examples from you and follow exactly what you’re doing…and anytime you see a driver stepping out of line, you try to pull his coat up,” he remarked.

Bacchus also commended traffic officers, noting that there are some reckless drivers out there that need to be dealt with and that the officers have been bestowed a difficult task.

He also advised officers that they would be respected based on their approach to drivers and how they carry themselves as professionals.

Additionally, Bacchus commended superintendent of police Kenneth John and the Traffic Department for assisting with the free flow of traffic in Arnos Vale.

During brief remarks Commissioner of Police Michael Charles commended his officers on their hard work.

“There will always be a little rivalry between the police and civilians, in this case, traffic and the minivans; we’re living in a small society; we have to get it right,” said Charles.

He refuted public belief that the police and NOBA are rivals.

Also giving remarks, Deputy Commissioner of Police Reynold Hadaway urged officers not to be afraid to assert their authority and to ensure that they excel.

“Drivers, for most part, do not want to toe the line … and we have to ensure that they toe the line, so do not be afraid of asserting your authority,” he said.

Although not a police officer, Shanette Morris-Edwards, a member of the SET programme assigned to Police Headquarters, was also awarded for outstanding performance and dedication.(AS)