Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams received his sixth extension to his post yesterday. He got the notification from the Police Service Commission informing him his term would end in the next six months. But the top cop, when contacted, took it in stride. He pledged to remain resolute in the fight against crime, support his officers to the best of his ability and to protect his country.
Asked if he was disenchanted and frustrated that the commission was taking so long for him to be confirmed in his post, Williams said the issue was not one about feelings but rather commitment to duty. He said he embraced the opportunity to serve again. “This is an opportunity that I embrace because it means I would be in a position to serve my country again at the helm of the Police Service and I will continue to improve the organisation.
“The normal person would be frustrated and if I was frustrated I would be out of the service long time,” Williams added. He said what also gave him the impetus to carry on was the daily dedication by his officers. “My officers are out there risking their lives and limb to protect this nation and that gives me a great sense of pride and fulfilment,” Williams added.
Extension unfortunate
Contacted yesterday secretary of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association Insp Micheal Seales said Williams’ sixth extension was not only puzzling but also very unfortunate. “The entire thing is so bewildering as to why there isn’t a push to at least confirm Mr Williams as the police commissioner?
“It is passing strange that you have the legitimate frame, as cumbersome as it, but why we have not done anything in the 30-plus months? They have also failed to appoint three deputy police commissioners,” Seales said. He added he was confident that Williams’ sixth extension would affect the morale of the organisation.
“We are quite satisfied that the Police Service is not operating as its optimum because even at times Mr Williams has to continuously reassure himself that he is a professional police officer and that the failure to confirm him in office does not affect him. “The association is wise this is not the case as some where along the line emotions will step in as it will affect any bride in waiting,” Seales added.
Maria Therese Gomes, a sociologist and behavioural scientist, was appointed on Thursday as the commission’s chairman. In a brief interview after being sworn in Gomes said she had no crystal ball but assured she would be working with commission members to address the problems.
Gomes replaced Professor Ramesh Deosaran who resigned last year in apparent frustration over the failure of Government to amend legislation to make the appointment of a police commissioner and other senior police officers less cumbersome.