BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, November 04, 2019 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Four officers of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) returned to the Federation on Sunday, November 03, after spending the last six weeks in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas assisting with its security and recovery efforts after the country incurred significant infrastructural damages from Hurricane Dorian in early September.
The contingent, which was led by Sergeant Ray Gordon and included officers Chad Cuffy, Otis Stevens and Victor Nicholas, was warmly received at the RLB International Airport by Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, as well as Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilroy Brandy and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) with responsibility for Operations, Mr. Adolph Adams.
ACP Adams commended the officers for volunteering for this task when first approached about the relief effort even though it meant that they would be away from their families and loved ones. “I know that you did a good job from all reports and so I want to take this opportunity to thank you and welcome you back to the Federation,” ACP Adams added.
Prime Minister Harris added his own words of commendation for the four officers, noting, “I want to say a special thank you, on behalf of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis and on behalf of the people of the region, for the sterling service that you rendered.”
The response by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis formed part of a wider engagement by the Regional Security System (RSS) to provide humanitarian aid to help with the recovery efforts in the Bahamas.
Prime Minister Harris further commented, “What for me is most memorable and outstanding is that we, the smallest member state within the CARICOM community, have been responding well to tragedies, misfortunes and pleas for support from member states, and we have been able, over the last four years or so whenever there has been a natural disaster, to respond by giving significant financial support. We are usually among the largest contributors of cash support to countries and also in this particular case, and in the case of Dominica, to provide manpower.”
The officers who were dispatched to the Bahamas were all previously exposed to training by the RSS in areas such as disaster management, and they all have experience in community policing.
