The plan outlines initiatives aimed at retaining and motivating staff of the police force. Such initiatives include the retraining of staff, the reinstitution of annual Performance Development Reviews, as well as the reintroduction of a system of promotion that is “transparent, performance and ability-based and open and fair.”

Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris said the decision to reinstate the Police Awards Ceremony in Recognition of Long Service and Good Conduct was a necessary corollary of these initiatives. Reinstating this award has motivated the workforce and now everybody has something to work towards. Implementing this workforce management for your business can also help motivate your staff and create an efficient workforce.

The police awards ceremony was held at Government House under the patronage of the Governor General, His Excellency Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton GCMG, CVO, QC, JP, on Thursday, May 12th. It recognized 25 out of 50 police officers who have served in the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force for at least 18 years. The remaining 25 officers who have served for a minimum of 18 years will be recognized at a ceremony in the near future.

“I understand that the last time that such an event as this one was held was way back in 2008, perhaps too long a time,” Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris said last Thursday, adding: “So I am delighted that as a consequence of the implementation of the 2016-2019 Police Strategic Plan and, more specifically, the Service Improvement Plan that we have arrived at a point today where we can publicly share some of its underpinning values, which include (i) to retain and motivate staff, (ii) to provide rewards and recognition, and (iii) to have a developed recognition programme for member longevity and enhance use of quality time by recognizing exceptional employee performance through an enhanced police awards programme.”

The Prime Minister continued: “This Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Awards Ceremony is therefore just one of a number of such events that will continue to unfold over the months and years ahead, and that the police, the Ministry of National Security and, by extension, this Unity Government will implement to motivate and improve the morale of all ranks within the police force.”

Prime Minister Harris congratulated the newly promoted Acting Superintendents: Adolph Adams, McCarta Browne, Lyndon David, Diana Mills, and Trevor Mills.

Prime Minister Harris said the promotion selection process did not consist of a “one-man show” nor did any politician in the Team Unity Administration handpick anyone for promotion.

“They were objectively selected through a transparent process, including an interview assessment by a panel,” the Prime Minister said of the five Acting Superintendents who have over 130 years of collective policing experience. Dr. Harris said the panel comprised several persons qualified to make the recommendations to the Police Service Commission. Prime Minister Harris added that the panel members are competent and experienced in relevant fields, such as human resource management and law and order.

“As those nominations came, they were sent to the Police Service Commission, which had the final say in relation to them,” the Prime Minister said.

“This is the kind of selection process that we know will add to motivation, and so we are committed as an administration to let fairness reign in the ranks of the police. I want to be able, as the Minister of National Security, to say with respect to the matter of promotion that this is the result of an objective, independent process. The police force and all agencies of government well deserve that high level of transparency to which Team Unity is committed,” Prime Minister Harris added.