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STATEMENT BY MR. IAN M QUEELEY, COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS MADE BY SENATOR HON. NIGEL CARTY

 

The High Command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force at this time registers its strong disappointment at comments made in the broadcast media by a Federal Parliamentarian, the Honourable Nigel Carty, an Opposition Senator in the Federal Parliament.

 

The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force in the last week has been successful in removing a number illegal firearms from our communities.  Rather than support and encourage our officers to continue their vigilance in the fight against crime, a few persons have used the media to question and bring discredit to the validity of these results.

 

During a broadcast of Freedom Radio (FM-106.5), on Wednesday 16 November, Senator Carty in his remarks explicitly implied that Police Service was involved in the “manufacturing” of success stories with regards to the finding and removal of illegal firearms from our communities.

 

Senator Carty’s statement was untrue, without merit or foundation.

 

Further, the remarks made by Senator Carty against the dedicated men and women of the Police Service can only be described as irresponsible calculated to erode and undermine the herculean efforts of the Police Service to ensure public safety.  It is unfortunate, that Senator Carty, whose responsibility as a parliamentarian is to uphold the law, and the preservation of the same, would engage in this type of behaviour. 

 

It is also Senator’s Carty responsibility as citizen, and as a Member of Parliament, to report to the police any information or evidence regarding criminal wrong doing by anyone including the police.

 

The continuing efforts to ensure citizen safety in St. Kitts and Nevis will not wane in the face of such unfounded allegations like those levied by Senator Carty and others.  I have spoken to my officers and I have assured them that the Nation appreciates their service, sacrifice and continued vigilance to ensure a safe St. Kitts and Nevis.

 

Let us join together to ensure Citizen Safety, and refrain from these types of vile and unhelpful accusations. 

 

Citizens and Residents, our Police Service is committed, we remain steadfast and focused on our objective of ensuring Citizen Safety.   I ask each of you to partner with us.  A cohesive effort of Police and Community will bring the desired results of reduced crime and the fear of crime for all.   In closing I encourage you “if you see something, say something,” and you can do this by calling your neighbourhood or any Police Station, by speaking with a community leader you trust such as a Pastor, or by calling Crime Stoppers the anonymous hotline at 1-800-8477(TIPS).