Regist remembered as ‘no-nonsense’ officer

RETIRED Assistant Comm-issioner of Police (ACP) Norton Regist was remembered as a “no-nonsense” policeman who personified the Police Service’s motto: “To Protect and Serve”. Rev Canon Knolly Clarke made the observation while delivering the homily yesterday at the funeral for the top cop at t Paul’s Anglican Church, Harris Promenade, San Fernando. Addressing an audience which included Attorney General John Jeremie, Junior Trade and Industry Minister Diane Seukeran and retired Commissioner of Police Hilton Guy, Canon Clarke said Regist was a “man of integrity” who never compromised his principled stance on the law. “He once said if he ever compromised on any principle of the law, then he would never be the ACP,” Rev Clarke recalled.

“When ethics and the law come together, then we would have a beautiful Police Service,” he continued, adding ethical behaviour was also needed in all sections of society. Regist, a former lecturer on law and ethics at the Police Training College, was described as a man who “practiced what he preached.” Canon Clarke observed Regist’s penchant for “working in the trenches” and who was often seen dressed in full uniform directing operations in Southern Division. “He made practical that statement ‘To Protect and Serve’ and was always focused on his work as a police officer,” Canon Clarke said.

Regist was also described as a “competent and outstanding investigator” by Mervyn Guiseppi, who said of his former colleague: “he was a walking encyclopedia of Police Service rules and regulations.” La Brea-born Regist, 63, was one of the first detectives attached to South-Western Division who eventually worked his way up to the rank of ACP (South). On retirement he worked as a security advisor in the Special Security Unit in the Office of the Attorney General. Regist who succumbed to renal failure on Saturday is survived by his mother Doris, wife Annmarie and children Marsha, Naila, Colin and Sean.