The newly appointed commander of the busiest police station in Grand Cayman said this week that he is taking a leave of absence from his post.
It was announced at a public meeting on 16 May that Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Chief Inspector Richard Simms would succeed Chief Inspector Marlon Bodden at the George Town station. Mr. Bodden was recently promoted to Superintendent of the RCIPS Criminal Investigations Division.
About two weeks after the public announcement, the Caymanian Compass learned Mr. Simms had decided to leave his new job. He’ll be taking another position in government at the Department of Vehicle Licensing.
George Town back bench MLA Lucille Seymour recently questioned Police Commissioner Stuart Kernohan about the police station’s status in Legislative Assembly’s Finance Committee.
‘I just wanted to know that George Town is covered,’ Ms Seymour said.
An RCIPS spokesperson said a replacement for Mr. Simms has already been selected and should be announced in the near future. Mr. Simms is scheduled to go on leave from the police service by the end of this month.
‘Obviously, we are a little disappointed to see an officer of Richard’s calibre taking time away from the service,’ Acting Deputy Police Commissioner John Jones said in a prepared statement. ‘But our loss is the Vehicle Licensing Department’s gain.’
Although Mr. Simms’ decision was characterised as taking a leave of absence, it’s not clear when or even if he plans to return to RCIPS.
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