Gerald Westby, private citizen, Crispin Jeffries, Commissioner of Police….that’s what it is tonight after a handing over ceremony this afternoon at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan. The man who could have been commissioner but will now become CEO, Allen Whylie put the changeover in perspective with his opening remarks.
Allen Whylie, CEO – Ministry of National Security
“I know that it is a sad occasion for some persons, it is a opportunity for other persons and I am certain that we will continue to embrace and meet the various challenges that we will face. We will continue to support the new Commissioner of Police with the various plans and initiatives he has and I am certain and confident that we will continue to do the right thing to move the Police Department in the proper direction.”
Crispin Jeffries, Commissioner of Police
“The operative word here is work. Police officers, my colleagues will know that one of the main problem they have in confronting or dealing with my style is that I have always demanded great levels of work. I challenged Mr. Westby many times in the past and I am certain that he was not in any disrespectful way, the kind of slave driver I am. So the changing of the guards might have a lot of things in common including middle name but it will also have a demand for greater levels of productivity. I am certain this is what is expected. For far too long efforts to add quality to our work is compromised by complacent and disruptive attitude and behaviour of our managers and supervisors. The many doables and achievables are not realized simply because they for too long have been able to get away with such actions.
We will start by setting the expectations and giving the responsibility to the senior leaders to deliver on these objectives. We take the words of the critics who are advocating for things to be done the right way seriously. However we are victims of our own plight as we continue to sit and make rules and don’t play the game. The ideal management precept is that the end must be justified by the means however it is realistic to say that that statement is not always true. In my opinion it is what impacts in the positive and lasting way that is important. We in the new leadership team will do our best to accomplish just that impact in a positive way.
In the past we’ve said we’ll reduce crime by this percentage. It will not be sufficient for us commanders to say statistically I have on a paper and get away with it. We will have to account for that in many other ways. We will use something we call results based management so that you can look at the outcome and target the problem so that in the end results you’re able to impact crime in a more positive way, in a wholistic way, in the way of dealing with the community, in ways dealing with the family.
I expect my tenure to be very short,
vigorous and with many challenges. So we are not here just to transist. We have work ahead of us and as people usually say, it is good because I usually try and start by running as my foot touch the ground.”
And so the man that is called “Jeffries” in the streets is Commissioner. Over the years, his no-nonsense approach as Commander of Operations has rankled many who now sit in cabinet or parliament and many others who’ve passed through this newsroom. But, even his fiercest critics can’t argue with the fact that Jeffries produces results – even if his methods have been widely criticized. And so, for this veteran of 36 years, who was asked by the Barrow administration to stay on as a contract officer, the ascent to the highest seat is sweet and long desired.
Jules Vasquez,
Commissioner Jeffries, COMPOL Jeffries, did you think it would ever happen?
Crispin Jeffries,
“No Jules. Simply no.”
Jules Vasquez,
You started out 35 years ago, I don’t say it insultingly, it is a tribute to your accomplishment as a bugle man, a band man. How do you get from there to the very top?
Crispin Jeffries,
“Jules I think it is hard work and dedication.”
Jules Vasquez,
How will you convince the public through the same prism of the media that in fact you are not a Commissioner who will go kicking down doors, you will administrate and you will do effectively?
Crispin Jeffries,
“I think Jules the opportunity to become Commissioner is because there are certain people out there who need to be dealt with forthwith and I am not going to back down when that time comes.”
Jules Vasquez,
How will you use your public persona to effectively convince the law abiding members of the public that you can bring crime under control?
Crispin Jeffries,
“Jules you did not say in as much words but yes there is a difference in my style and I too join those who feel that Gerald Westby is a nice genuine jovial person and I’ve known the other side of him to be very tough when it is necessary. But I will also say to you that there are times in the last four years when I took the brunt for the image that Mr. Gerald Westby left with because that was not his job, that was my job. That was the job I got from him and I did that job for him. I am certain that will be passed on to somebody else and there is still something that I usually say, the Crispin Jeffries the police is not the uniform, Crispin Jeffries is the person. So a lot of people don’t know Crispin Jeffries the private person. They Crispin Jeffries the police person and my role as the police person is to act the role of being a tough police officer.”
