New COP calls for total commitment by police officers

Renold Hadaway, the new Commissioner of Police (COP) of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), has laid out a blueprint for police officers here to shape the era of policing in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) under his leadership.

Commissioner Hadaway, in his first general meeting with the body of the Police Force on Thursday, August 4, said under his tenure, {{more}}he wants discipline and the staging of lectures, among other sensitive areas, to be addressed with urgency.

The new COP, who joined the Police Force in 1982, used the opportunity to thank his predecessor Michael Charles, who had served as COP for three years.

“Commissioner Charles has done exceptionally well, especially with public relations. What the Commissioner has done, let’s build on it,” said Hadaway.

“We have to be guided by higher authority so we cannot afford to act loosely and do things out of order. We are guided by laws and regulations,” said Hadaway to the large gathering of police officers.

“As we forge ahead, I am asking for total commitment by everyone. We are charged with the responsibility to dispense law and order and we ought to be mindful of that. As we go forward we must be dedicated, committed and work diligently for the greater good,” said Hadaway.

Hadaway said it will be remiss of him if he does not address the issue of discipline.

“We all agree that we can work on our discipline, said Hadaway, to a rousing response from the audience, ‘Yes!’

As early as Thursday, August 18, a lecture will be held with the general body of the Police Force on the subject ‘Discipline in the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force’.

Hadaway, who has honed his skills in policing locally, regionally and internationally, appealed to the officers to sacrifice time for training.

“The whole issue of our business is to deliver quality service to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines. In the face of adversity, you have to stand tall, treat everyone with respect. They are human beings, just like me and you,” said Hadaway, as he again appealed to the general body to exercise their duties with restraint.

Meanwhile, Colin John, the new Deputy Commissioner of Police, delivering remarks, commended police officers for generally being loyal and punctual.

He also encouraged police officers to be mindful of how they speak to members of the public.

John, a lawyer by profession, said he would like to see police officers increase their knowledge about the various aspects of their job and said he will consult with the COP as to a number of initiatives that can be put in place to ensure that this is done.(Police Public Relations)