On behalf of Motiv-8 For Change International, I will like to firstly express my deep sadness over the recent occurrence in St. David which has not only seen the premature demise of a fellow Grenadian Canadian, but has brought our Royal Grenadian Police Force into questionable disrepute of "Ongoing Police Brutality" in the international media, especially the Canadian media here.
Although I am extremely troubled by the outcome of this tragic situation and express my deep condolences to the family and relatives of Mr. Oscar Bartholomew, simultaneously, on behalf of Motiv-8 For Change International, I have to register my solidarity with the RGPF, a very credible and respectful institution with which I have worked over the past years.
Let me go on record as saying that as the president of Motiv-8 For Change International a Toronto based Social Skill Agency, during my past years of working along with the RGPF, I have personally experienced a high degree of professionalism and respect from street level policing to top administrative level.
However, even if I have worked with all the various RGPF demographical divisions, SSU and Immigration in the past and relish the great experience, I cannot doubt the existence of individuals within the force who have the ability to cause such serious disrepute to the RGPF while inflicting much grief and pain to victims and their families.
It is for this reason that ASP Terrence Noel who overlooked my work at the police college in 2004, and saw the power and impact of these sessions on his officers, arranged a meeting and presentation for me with Superintendent Martin in July 2011. After seeing a complete outlay of the multi-dimensional approach of "Project STOP 'n' THINK" -our international crime prevention campaign which emphasizes a Professional Development "Impulse Control" component for officers, Sup. Martin immediately referred me to ASP Mc Intyre of the Community Relation Department for investigating, negotiating and planning how these sessions could be delivered to the community and also to officers of the RGPF.
The overall objective of this "Impulse Control" component is to equip officers with a strategy to help them to professionally pre-think their response, reactions and consequences before spontaneously reacting and suffering what can be bitter and lifelong consequences for themselves and others. By the way, our international official "Project STOP 'n' THINK" poster hangs in Gouyave, Victoria, GrandRoy, Grenville Police Stations and at the CRD Head office.
However, because of budgetary allowances, these sessions could not be implemented, and even if as son of Grenada, I indicated that I was prepared to offer them almost free, it is with deep regret that the RGPF was not able to schedule them. Who knows, these sessions might have equipped the officers in question with "Project STOP 'n' THINK" Impulse Control Mechanism to deal with the temptation of impulsive reactions as seem evident in this current situation.
To date and most recently, I have made over fifteen appearances on the live Canadian TV Shows "INSIDE WORLD REPORTS" and "ON THE LINE" as a guest to give my opinion on issues in the news. Let me say here that if called upon to give my opinion on this issue, although I will join the voices that condemn this brutality, I also promise to uphold the professionalism and respect of the Royal Grenada Police Force, while vindicating the good name of our citizens and homeland.
In closing let me again offer the family of Mr. Bartholomew my heartfelt sympathies, and wish for you that the blessings and miracles of the new year will overshadow the grief and pain as you undertake the daunting task of moving on with your lives.
Finally, I want to again go on record as offering my services to Grenada and the Bartholomew family to help in the healing process which this event has inflicted on our nation. I am prepared to reschedule my local and international assignments to respond if called.
God bless Grenada and I wish all a Happy New Year.
By Neals J. Chitan
very well put observer.grenadians need to ask tillman and keith their opinions on this matter.by the way folks,those executioners were granted bail.is this justice?these criminals should be kept in jail where they belong.
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By: stallion 1/6/2012 12:34:07 PM
Stallion, the British Privy Council comprises of old White Anglo-Saxan men who live live thousands f miles from Grenada. These men have never been to Grenada and may not even know whict part of the globe it's located. These men are left to determine the fate of millions of poor Black Folk in Africa, the Caribbean and anywhere inhabited by people of color. If Grenada is an independent nation, why do our politicians still depend on the British Privy Council to determine it fate especially when it comes to social and legal issues that are so detrimental to its existence? These men are often making decisions when they're under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Grenada does not have any representation in the British Privy Council. Those who are normally chosen to represent us are usually puppets of our ex-slave masters including the queen of England. Members of the British Privy Council are not the ones who usually experience the havoc and dreadful experiences that citizens of Black countries have to deal with. Tillman Thomas, Keith Mitchell and past leaders have often and are still bowing to those people because they have rendered our country totally dependent for its survivalof those abroad. If Fidel Castro can do it for Cuba, Why can't Grenada? We should not stand by and allow our government to continue employing criminals-danger to the state while innocent, educated, highly skilled and quite capable Grenadians are at their mercies. Our law abiding citizens should not be left to eat the bread crumbs that fall off the table of Hudson Austin, Leon "Bogo" Cornwall. Selwyn Ctrachan, Ventura, Cecil Prime, Bernard Coard, Phyllis Coard, etc. Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.
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By: The Observer 1/6/2012 12:00:46 PM
thank you very much karen for the insight.and to observer sorry for not understanding your take.i had no knowlege on the budlall/kennedy incident.and again i must stress,tillman thomas will pay for the hiring of the gang of 17.but as grenadians we have to make up our minds whether we need the privy council in our affairs.this should be an election issue both for nnp and ndc.
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By: stallion 1/5/2012 9:51:17 PM
Stallion, Royr, gabe and Sam, although I found the Observer to be too radical, it's important to note what he is saying tends to make a lot of sense. Stallion I think he might be referring to THE Kennedy Budhall's murder of RGPF turned Agricultural Minister Innocent Belmar in Birchgrove, St. Andrews, a few years prior to the 1979 revolution. They had to eliminate Innocent Belmar in order to get rid of Gairy. Unfortunately, we have seen the trend continuing to haunt our country. Kennedy and Gang 17 are employed by the NDC government. Kennedy Budhall blames Maurice Bishop because he-Kennedy did not get his way of arresting peaceful and law abiding people who worked for Gairy. He hated Bishop because he (Bishop) did not allow Kennedy and his men including his brothers to grow as much weed as possible. Now Kennedy is siding with Bernard Coard, Hudson Austin, Leon "Bogo" Cornwall, Strachan, Ventura, Cecil Prime, Phyllis Coard and etc. As we get closer to the election, I can guarantee you that Kennedy Budhall is going to jump ship-NDC and embark on the NNP. Kennedy Budhall knows how to play the political game so as to keep his job and money in his pocket. Smart guy, huh! Some of our people are heartless. As Observer, I can't conceive the fact that our government employs members of the Gang of 17 in key positions. And yes, Keith Mitchell is as just guilty as Tillman Thomas. They are playing in the hands of the Gang of 17. They demonstrate that crime does pay. And the media must be held liable for it's role in reinforcing such behavior. Not once have the media spoke out against such practices
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By: karen 1/5/2012 8:06:48 PM
It seems that Tilly likes criminals Kennedy with the Belmar issue,the gang of 17 rubbing shoulders with them,but allege criminals he use them for political reason,shame on you Tilly,remember innocent until proven guilty,from day one I said give them a fair trial and if they are found guilty punish them to the full extent of the law.I hate when you throw some under the bus and embrace and provide jobs for criminals,I hope people remember you and Keith for all you phoniness.Here in Grenada we forget to darn much that why people think we have fowl brains,the only way to progress is to remember the pass so it will never happen again so we can move forward and be progressive,but it seem that we are lacking in that.
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By: Royr 1/5/2012 1:19:36 PM
observer,i agree with your sentiments.however,you lost me with the example you gave in the last part of your posting.
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By: stallion 1/5/2012 12:27:37 PM
Stallion, every incident that occurs on our soil is either politically or socially motivated. Sad to say, but most criminals get away with their criminal acts based on the political and social affiliation. I am saying that politics and social standing play an imminent and influential role in whatever judgment or sentence is handed down. For example, think of the out of Kennedy Budhall murder of Police Commissioner Innocent Belmar. I rest my case.
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By: The Observer 1/5/2012 8:58:23 AM
Gabe, at the beginning of your post I thought you were angry at those who have shared their feelings about the incident. However, further into your post you seemed to have laid the true facts out. Thanks for understanding the problems some of our fellow diaspora brothers and sisters often experience when they do return. It's time that recognize the contributions of those who were either forced out or left voluntarily, but from time to time come back to share their gains with family, neighbors and friends. Gabe, I was told that many of our diaspora Grenadians would love to come home and assistance in whatever capacity our people and government are willing to accept and accommodate them. These people would rather be back home than foreign. We just need to make them feel at home.
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