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Members of the protective services are keeping an open mind over Stuart Young’s appointment as National Security Minister.
Speaking with Guardian Media hours after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced the Cabinet reshuffle yesterday, Police Social and Welfare Association and Prison Officers Association officials expressed optimism over the move.
In a telephone interview on CNC3’s Morning Brew programme, Police Social and Welfare Association president Inspector Michael Seales said he felt that the decision was taken by Rowley to coincide with the Government’s nomination of former national security minister Gary Griffith to the post of Commissioner of Police.
“Of course, this is what you call a leadership strategy. You are building a new system of leadership, so there is a realignment and paradigm shift,” Seales said.
Seales also suggested that Young’s continuing role as Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister would assist him with his new portfolio.
“If he is also aligned to the Office of the PM that is a new synergy. He will be well poised of what is available to him and there would be a transfer of information, which would resound well for the ministry,” Seales said.
He said Young’s experience as an attorney would also assist police in beginning to enforce the reintroduced Anti-Gang Act, as he would be well versed in the training and technology required for it.
Prison Officers Association secretary Gerard Gordon also expressed similar sentiments.
“I am not perturbed or concerned by matters of continuity. In fact, people hear things differently and it gives us an opportunity for us to be heard and Mr Young would have the opportunity to treat with these matters as he sees fit, in a way that brings us some sort of satisfaction,” Gordon said.
However, he noted that there were some initiatives being negotiated by the association with Young’s predecessor Edmund Dillon, which they wished to be continued.
“We have some initiatives we were advancing and I would hope, as the professionals they claim to be, that a proper handing over process would have been adhered to,” Gordon said.
Stating that the association had dealt with a wide range of line ministers from various government regimes, Gordon said they would continue to advocate for their members.