“I am a creature of law.” – ComPol Chester Williams

In the face of an armed attack on one’s home, panic and alarm would immediately ensue.  But in the case of Commissioner Williams, he was getting ready to land in New York City for a conference and was still in flight when he received the message.  According to the ComPol, he kept his composure and gave specific instructions to his son, as well as Acting Commissioner of Police Bart Jones.  Those directives ensured his son’s safety during the attack, they also led to the quick detention of a suspect.  Here’s how ComPol Williams recounted his immediate reaction.

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I contacted the police, I had every confidence that they would respond in time and the police did do that.  I spoke my son via text messages and explained to him what to do and I know the type of person he is, he is very compliant and once I tell him to do something, he is going to do it.  So I had absolutely no worries that everything was going to be okay, and as soon as I landed in New York, I contacted Mr. Jones who is holding over in my absence and gave him certain directives in terms of what I wanted to get done with the investigation.  Those were complied with and we are now where we are in terms of having one person in custody with a weapon recovered.  The motorcycle used was also recovered during the operations last night. I must say that I am a creature of law.  Whilst the criminals operate without any rules, I have to operate within rules and I have to operate within the scope of the law.  So as much as, yes, from my personal feelings, my personal standpoint, I would love to do certain things, I cannot do that if it is not going to be done in accordance with the law.  So I remain a law-abiding citizen.  I am the chief law enforcement officer of the country and I must abide by the laws, and so whatever needs to be done in terms of dealing with any criminal elements, I will always ensure that it is done in accordance with the law.”