ST KITTS-Longest serving Commissioner of Police dies

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An early photo of retired Commissioner of Police Stanley V. Franks

Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. Timothy Harris on Tuesday hailed late Stanley Franks, the twin-island federation’s longest-serving Commissioner of Police who died at the age of 79, as a true leader.

 

“Mr. Stanley V. Franks demonstrated true leadership as he adeptly charted the direction of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) into the post-Independence period and further professionalized it during a transformational era for both law enforcement and society,” Prime Minister Harris said over the weekend.

Reflecting on the life of Franks who enlisted in the Police Force in February 1960 and retired in October 1993, serving as police chief for the last 13 of those years, Harris noted that, “country above self was a personal credo for Mr. Franks”.

 

“It was this meticulous commitment to serving his country that drew accolades from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who recognized his courage and conspicuous devotion to duty with the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Year’s Honours list for 1983 then with the Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order during her visit to the Federation in October 1985.

 

“Commissioner Franks was an impressive repository of information and experience for the men and women of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the Ministry of National Security in general.  In January, when former Commissioner of Police Mr. Robert Jeffers died at the age of 70, my office phoned Mr. Franks, who was quick to reminisce fondly about his friend and colleague,” Harris added.

 

Current Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley, in a statement on Monday, said it was another sad day in the history of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force as they mourned the loss of another pioneer and stalwart of the federation.

“This was a man who epitomized the true spirit and meaning of selflessness, service and country above self. He will be remembered as a visionary leader who went to great lengths to ensure that the RSCNPF was well placed to deal with the challenges of modern policing. His contribution to its development and, by extension, security in the federation is undoubtedly nothing short of herculean. His input will be etched in the annals in our nation’s history books. His pioneering work has reaped dividends, and will continue to do so long after his sojourn on earth,” he said of Franks.

“In my considered opinion, he lived a full and rewarding life pleasing to God and man. He was a man amongst men during his time and I am very humbled and privileged to be a part of his legacy in so many ways,” Queeley added.

 

After retiring from the Police Force, Franks served for more than 20 years as a member of the Police Service Commission, representing the Police Welfare Association.

 

He also owned and operated Diamond Security Services Inc. for the past 25 years, leveraging his extensive law enforcement background to bolster the security environment of his clients’ businesses and homes, and, by extension, his country.

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