00:00 This week, Senior Superintendent Richard Smith, head of the TTPS's Southern Division, spearheaded
00:07 a $105 million drug bust in Larrow, Maine.
00:11 In June, a major car parts and stolen vehicles stash was discovered in the New Grant Forest
00:17 under his watch.
00:19 Back in February, he led officers to foil a robbery attempt in Princess Town, leaving
00:24 one suspect dead and an SRP arrested.
00:28 These are just a few of the operations coordinated by the man now being transferred out of Southern
00:34 Division over to Northern Division by next week.
00:38 It's a decision not sitting well with a number of community watch groups and business people
00:43 across the Southern Region.
00:46 Every time we have something that works and starting to work, somehow, for me, they dismantle
00:52 it and they move him from one district to the next.
00:56 If we do not have consistency in this district or any other district, how could we fight
01:03 crime?
01:04 It is said that he will be relocated and the business people are not happy because after
01:11 one year working with him, we are very confident because we have seen the level of crime decrease
01:17 in the Southern area.
01:21 And to lose someone like that could be a very tough thing.
01:24 Community has developed that kind of trust and confidence in him and I believe if the
01:28 government is serious and very much interested in resolving or solving crime or helping to
01:34 reduce crime, then I think Mr. Smith is deserving to retain his office in the Southern Division
01:41 where he has a very good working relationship with all of the community watch groups, the
01:45 communities, the business community and everyone.
01:50 These individuals say while crime is rampant nationwide, there has been a breakthrough
01:55 in South under Senior Superintendent Smith.
01:59 It's why they're pleading with Police Commissioner Lula Christopher to reconsider her decision.
02:04 I would like to tell the Commissioner she needs to rethink this decision because I don't
02:09 think it's a good move.
02:10 All I find is plenty of crime up in the Northern area that you may need a person like him.
02:17 But at the same time, when we set up something, we cannot be dismantling what we set up and
02:23 the relationship that we would have with the police.
02:25 We are pleading and asking the Commissioner and the authority to please reconsider the
02:32 removal of him because it could cause chaos to the business people because we are right
02:38 now, we are helpless because most of them applied for the FUL and they have been turned
02:44 down.
02:45 They have no form of protection.
02:47 In a response to TV6 News, Commissioner Christopher said policing cannot be static.
02:53 It requires almost continuous review of plans and strategies to ensure effectiveness and
02:59 to deliver tactical advantages in treating with a very innovative and proactive criminal
03:05 element.
03:06 She says in assessing the available human resources and how they can be deployed in
03:11 the national interest, decisions like the transfer of personnel will sometimes occur.
03:17 The Commissioner adds that such decisions are never made flippantly, but always with
03:22 national interest being paramount.
03:25 And while bonding of officers with their station districts and divisions is desirable, there
03:31 will be times when an adjustment may be necessary for the greater good of all.
03:37 She sought to assure them that in so doing, the TTPS always aims to sign a credible and
03:43 competent replacement that is worthy of the trust and confidence of the community.
03:50 Cindy Raghubar, Chikasingh, TV6 News.
03:53 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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