Two former top cops
Senior Reporter
akash.samaroo@cnc3.co.tt
Two former acting commissioners of police will receive national awards in the sphere of National Security and Public Service at the National Awards Ceremony at President’s House, St Ann’s, today. The Chaconia Medal Silver will be conferred to Stephen Williams and James Philbert.
The Chaconia Medal is awarded for long and meritorious service to promote national welfare or strengthen community spirit in Trinidad and Tobago.
Philbert, who was acting head of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) between 2007 and 2010, said yesterday he was humbled by the award and believes it sets an example for those at the helm of the TTPS.
“It says to people who work in places like the TTPS how they should guard themselves and their integrity, and how they should consider service to the public who is in dire need of it.
“So, for people who are in office, they should focus on what service is. From time to time it will be strenuous but you need to avail yourself with the strength, acumen, courage, energy and drive to protect and serve with pride,” Philbert explained.
He said he is still involved in law enforcement but behind the scenes.
“I still do community work. I assist mothers who don’t have money to buy school books, I counsel young men in the district (Point Fortin),” he said.
While celebrating this as an auspicious occasion for him and his family, Philbert acknowledged that there may be impending criticism from some members of the public. However, he said he is no stranger to it after spending 43 years in the TTPS.
“I recall what some wise man said years ago, he said if you look at the conductor when he is on the stage, he does not face the crowd at all, his back is to the crowd and he focuses on the players and directs them so that they provide wonderful results to the audience. Turning your back does not mean you do not care about them but rather focusing on your job.
“Yes, the criticisms will come because nobody is perfect and yes you will get it wrong in the eyes of some people. I hear people make remarks even up until today and those people have no idea at all about police work,” Philbert posited.
According to the Office of the President, through multiple challenges, Philbert paid strong attention to the detection of transnational organised crimes, the management of illegal weapons and narcotics, human trafficking and crime scene investigation.
Meanwhile, Stephen Williams, who led the TTPS in an acting capacity between the years 2012 and 2020, would only tell Guardian Media, “I am not in a position to comment at this time.”
In a summary of his accomplishments provided by the Office of the President, Williams was said to have served as Gold Commander and led the multinational security task force for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 2009. It said Williams was first vice president of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police in 2016 and is a member of the International Advisory Committee of the Police Executive Programme at the Institute of Criminology, Cambridge University.
‘Moment in history for the women of T&T’
Moving to the sphere of Culture, Arts and Community Development, Pan Trinbago president Beverly Ramsey-Moore will this evening receive the Hummingbird Medal Gold.
This medal is awarded for loyal and devoted service in any field of human endeavour to the country.
She told Guardian Media that this is a victory for all women in steelpan.
“All those women who have been embracing me and saying ‘Ramsey-Moore, stand strong. ‘You are doing a wonderful job’. So, I am deeply honoured and delighted. This is another moment in history for the women of Trinidad and Tobago who have broken ceilings and have contributed significantly to the development of the nation,” she said.
The 17th president of Pan Trinbago, and the first woman to ever be elected to the position, added that this is a testament to her stellar performance in office.
“This is a big move, knowing where we were in 2018 when I took over where it was 0 dollars and 0 cents and to know my transformative leadership would have played a role in steelpan ascendancy to the world and declaring there is no season to pan and bringing executive champions on board like the President, the Prime Minister and corporate T&T rallying around communities, that is a significant achievement. Now we have audits, and it is about accountability and transparency,” she boasted.
The former Assemblywoman for the THA in 1992 in the district of Black Rock/Whim wants all women to see the honour as an opportunity to stand tall and never be deterred by attacks thrown against them.
Ramsey-Moore also held the portfolios of Secretary for Community Development and Culture as well as the Assistant Secretary for Youth and Sport.
In the field of Business and Community Service, current National Lotteries Board chairman and one of Paria Fuel Trading Company’s board of directors Eustace Nancis will receive the Chaconia Medal Gold.
Nancis, who served as the 40th mayor of Arima, offered some advice to other citizens.
“I am humbled and honored to be given such an award. I have been in business for 44 years and 24 of those years have also been in public service. I became Mayor of Arima in 2003. I do yeoman service when I am called. My advice to others is to stay the course, if you don’t make it to the Olympics, you can make it to the President’s House,” Nancis said.
Nancis is also the owner of Arima Door Centre. He has over the years contributed to sporting events, athletes and religious events.
Also being awarded in this category will be Xtra Foods Supermarket chairman Anon Naipaul, who is awarded for his contribution to the field of business.
Contacted yesterday, Naipaul said,”I accept this award with great humility and gratitude. I thank God for his benevolence and guidance, I thank our citizens and our leaders for this recognition.”
He added, This will inspire and give me the impetus to do more for our country. I dedicate this to award to all of my diligent and caring employees and loyal customers of Xtra Foods.”
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