Hilton Guy: I enjoyed it

OUTGOING Commissioner of Police Hilton Guy said yesterday he enjoyed the time he spent in office and urged his successor Deputy Commissioner of Police Everald Snaggs to continue the programmes he started.

Guy also said he would say nothing to contradict Snaggs, who had a double celebration, having turned 59 yesterday. “I support him (Snaggs) totally,” Guy said from his office at the Police Administration building. Snaggs, who joined the Police Service on May 6, 1963, was appointed to the post of Acting Commissioner of Police, effective yesterday. He has acted in the same position over 20 times, sources said. Snaggs, looking a bit shy while enjoying a toast with members of his executive, did not want to comment on his promotion, saying to the media: “Please no hardball questions.”

Guy revealed that his most difficult period during his five years in office was the fact that he went through five elections, one of which ended 18-18. “At times I did not know who was the government,” Guy said.  He went on to say that his happier moments as a Commissioner was the fact that he was able to change the culture of police officers into a service-oriented one.  He also said he was able to bring the police to the community. “All I am asking my successor to do is to continue the programmes I have started. He was a part of them,” Guy said, adding:  “I enjoyed it thoroughly.” Guy also said that he loved the support he got from the media, even though there were times when there were disagreements. “They (press) kept me looking young and it was a very revealing career.”

Among those present at yesterday’s ceremony were ACPs Frank Diaz, Celestine Richards, Nazamul Hosein, Deochan Gosine, Winston Cooper, Oswyn Allard and Sr Supt Dennis Graham, who was yesterday promoted to acting ACP (South), replacing ACP Peter John who also joined Guy on pre-retirement leave. During the ceremony, Guy assured the media that he and his executives were not “drinking on the job”.  He said they were toasting with Eva’s wine.