RETIREMENT CEREMONY FOR COMMISSIONER WINSTON JAMES

St. George, July 31, 2008 -- After almost 41 years with the Royal Grenada Police Force, Winston James has retired.

At a brief ceremony attended by Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and other dignitaries, James listened as colleagues showered praises on him for his work with the force, and took the opportunity to make it clearly known that he was very much aware of the politics being played within the force.

The outgoing Commissioner pointed to some of the behaviour which currently  plagues the RGPF and issued parting words of advice to officers of the force.  He reminded them that they have a responsibility to the country, and admonished those who had been engaged in campaigning over the election period.  James saw this as undermining the integrity of the force.

James had come under fire from several quarters for his alleged failure to stand up to what many had perceived as being interference from the political directorate.

The veteran will be replaced on August 1 by another veteran, James Clarkson, who had been a former Deputy Commissioner of Police before retiring from the force in 2005.