The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force Police Welfare Association (PWA) held its elections on January 24, 2020 to select a new executive under the supervision of the Supervisor of Elections, Superintendent of Police, Mrs. Kamecia Blake-Byam, the officer in charge of Central Division.
Four (4) persons were nominated to contest for the three (3) available posts on the Senior Branch Board with Sergeants Daniel Prescott, Marilyn Burke and Rochelle Smith emerging as the representatives for that branch. Corporals Lez Harry, Shacky Greene, Colin May and Germano Douglas will be the representatives of the Intermediate Branch Board while Constables Moise Cummings, Kenroy Martin, Renford Samuel, Rohan Howard and Sherika Gordon were elected to be the representatives of the Junior Branch Board.
On February 6, 2020 a general meeting was held with the general membership of the association to select the chairperson of each branch board, the General Secretary and the overall chairperson to oversee the mandate and run the affairs of the association. Sergeant Rochelle Smith was selected as chairperson of the Senior Branch, Corporal Lez Harry as Intermediate chairperson and Constable Moise Cummings as Junior Branch chairperson. Constable Somorow Quashie was appointed as the General Secretary.
Corporal Lez Harry emerged as the new chairman after he was ratified by the membership. He will replace Station Sergeant Brenton Smith who elected not run for re-election, citing that it’s an opportunity for young persons with fresh and new ideas to emerge and come to the forefront. Station Sergeant Smith served as chairman of the PWA from 2006 – 2013 and again from 2017 -2020.
Corporal Harry is a veteran with 23 years of service as a police officer. He would have served on the executive for the past three (3) years as chairman of the Intermediate Branch Board.
Corporal Harry lamented that it’s going to be a mammoth task to fill the boots of Station Sergeant Smith. He however said that he will not be trying to fill his boots but rather build on his tremendous work. He went on to thank Station Sergeant Smith for his contribution and said he would have served the organization with distinction. He assured the membership that his new executive will work hard and do their best; so great things are to be expected. He implored upon the general membership to support the new executive and to work hand in hand with the executive as the way forward is chartered.
The new Chairman said that his executive will foster and forge a good working relationship with the hierarchy of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.