Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 31, 2016 (RSCNPF): After years of dormancy, the Police Welfare Association of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force is again an active organization with a functioning Central Committee that was elected in elections held in January 2016.
The Police Welfare Association is an advocacy body comprised of officers selected by their peers to represent and lobby for the interest of Police Officers who hold the ranks of Sergeant and below. Some general items that are visited by Welfare Associations have included, officer pay and benefits, promotion and retention, officer quality of life (housing and recreation), the shift system, family support and any other items deemed important to the well being of the officers.
Commenting on the recent drive to revive the association, Commissioner of Police Mr. Ian Queeley said, “the welfare association is a very important organization within the Police Force, it is the negotiating body. Therefore, a fully functional welfare can only lead to a more efficient and productive organization,” and noted that he has met with the newly formed Central Committee of the Police Welfare Association and articulated the views of the High Command with a view to ensure there is a shared vision.
The members of the Central Committee are Police Constable (PC) Mark Handley- Chairman, PC Marvin Thompson- Vice Chairman, PC Jerry Watt – Secretary, WPC Donaly Liburd-Chiverton – Treasurer, WSC Diana Francis – Asst.Sec/Treasurer and Corporal Treveron Richards – Public Relations Officer. Other members of the committee are Sgt. Joseph Wyatt, Sgt. Ray Gordon, Corporal Matthew McGuire, SC Allan Halliday, WSC Bernadette Liburd and SC James Blake.
The Police Sports Club has also become more active and will hold its first event, a 20/20 cricket match against the visiting Bardsey Sports and Social Club from Leeds, England at Warner Park on Thursday, March 31. The game begins at 5pm. The activities of the club continues on Saturday, April 02, 2016, with a fitness walk from the Police Training Centre to the Zen Blvd roundabout in Frigate Bay commencing at 5.00am.
The general public is invited to participate and support both events.