The Chairman of the Police Welfare Association (PWA) of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has expressed his strong and unwavering support to the Police Welfare Association of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.
In a letter dated July 19, 2017, addressed to Sergeant Brenton Smith, Sergeant Sean A McCall – Chairman of the (BVI) Police Welfare Association said “We are extremely disheartened to learn of the unfortunate developments that have taken place in the Policing fraternity at a time when law enforcement agencies within the region are facing some severe challenges.”
“When I learned of the sudden and strategic transfer of three strong and vocal pioneers of welfare in the persons of Sgt (Sergeant) Brenton Smith, Constables Kenroy Martin and Jermaine Roberts it was very clear to me that the welfare of officers not only in St. Vincent and the Grenadines but the region is under attack,” McCall said.
Sergeant Smith is the President of the Caribbean Federation of Police Welfare Association (CFPWA) and chair of the local association.
McCall said “It is quite clear that there are negatively charged elements that exist, who seek to stifle and retard the progressive ambitions of the PWA. The move of this abrupt and strategic transfer these vocal officers may seem like an authoritative stand and a feather in the cap, but in the modern world of policing it is seen as weakness and vindictive.”
He said the PWA is legislated and should be given the respect and support it deserves and the management structure would be incomplete without a vibrant, fully functioning and well consulted PWA.
McCall went on to state in his letter that “Severing the head Sgt Smith of the PWA from the body shows a clear and distinct effort to undermine strong and effective representation, and an ambush to deflate the wheels of motion that are turning to effect change for the betterment of officers. Nevertheless I am comforted with the fact that you and your men whom I have had the pleasure of positive interaction are men sound character and integrity and I am humbled to know that this blistering attack on the welfare has only given “David the courage to stand against Goliath”.
