After a comprehensive local recruitment process, the Governor is pleased to announce that Chief Superintendent Kurt Walton has been selected for promotion to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS).

Chief Superintendent Walton will continue in his current role of Chief Superintendent until he assumes his new post on 29 September 2016. Until then, he will work closely with, and be mentored by, Deputy Commissioner Stephen Brougham to ensure a smooth handover when Deputy Commissioner Brougham retires.

The Constitution provides for the Governor to appoint to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of the RCIPS, on the advice of the Commissioner. The Governor, the Deputy Governor, and Commissioner David Baines interviewed Chief Superintendent Walton on 24 May as part of the selection process.

On confirming the selection, the Governor said:

“Chief Superintendent Walton provides an excellent example of a Caymanian reaching the highest levels in our public service. He is dedicated to the service of the Cayman Islands community and I am delighted that he will be joining the RCIPS Senior Management Team.”

Chief Superintendent Walton said:

“I am honoured to have been selected for this position, and I look forward to being part of the strategic leadership of the RCIPS. I also look forward to working with the new Commissioner of Police to review the operations of the RCIPS and to contribute to recommendations for continuous improvements.”

Chief Superintendent Kurt Walton was born in Cayman Brac and educated at primary and high school level in Cayman Brac. He successfully obtained his Bachelors of Law (Part time) degree at the Cayman Islands Law School between 2002 and 2008.

Mr. Walton joined the RCIPS on 29 December 1986 and worked both in George Town and East End. The first nine years of his police career were served in Uniform and CID. In September 1995, he was promoted to Detective Sergeant in the CID and took up tenure in West Bay, where he led several high profile investigations one of which was a serial rapist who was sentenced to 15 years. In addition, his tenacity led to identifying three suspects who shot a man during a gas station arm robbery who all received substantial prison sentences.

In 1999, he was transferred to Cayman Brac as a uniform sergeant, before returning to Grand Cayman in January 2001. He then took up duties within the Financial Crime Unit where his duties included a secondment to the Royal British Virgin Islands Police Service (RBVIPS) to investigate a corruption case involving government ministers. This case led to two ministers serving terms of imprisonment.

In March 2003, he was promoted to the rank of Detective Inspector and transferred to the Drugs Task Force. Under his leadership several multi-tonnage of narcotics were seized in the first twelve months. In September 2004, following the catastrophic hurricane Ivan, he temporarily performed uniform Inspector duties in the Eastern Districts. During this period Mr. Walton led a team of officers in the hunt for a sex offender who had subjected a woman to a terrifying attack. Following a lengthy trial, the man responsible was sentenced to 25 years in prison and the presiding magistrate personally commended Mr. Walton’s tenacity and leadership of his team for its successful conclusion.

In December, 2004, he was transferred back into CID duties and led several major crime investigations into gang related shootings, receiving a Commissioner’s award for the successful prosecution of a Grand Court matter related to those shootings. Promoted to Detective Chief Inspector in 2006, Mr. Walton headed back to the DTF and led a number of drugs and firearms importation operations resulting in thousands of pounds of marijuana, several shipments of cocaine and ammunition being seized.

In 2007, he was promoted to Detective Superintendent and became the Head of Specialist Proactive Operations, overseeing a joint operation with local and international law enforcement partners. The operation led to the seizure of 17 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition, both here and in the USA.

In May 2012, he took up the role of Acting Chief Superintendent until his substantive promotion in April 2013. Over the past four years he has continually looked at leading strategic change by thinking beyond the constraints of current ways of working, leading the work force by investing in staff development and managing performance by putting victim care at the forefront.

Between June and August 1997 he successfully completed his Senior Investigators training in Barbados and between June and August 2007 he successfully completed the International Command Program at Bramshill, UK. Between January 2014 and March 2014 he successfully completed the Strategic Command Course, UK.

Mr. Walton, is married with two young children. He coaches youth football in his spare time, having had five caps with the CI National Football team in the early 90’s and is delighted with his promotion.

Photo by Bina Mani, GIS

Chief Superintendent Kurt Walton has been appointed Deputy Commissioner of the RCIPS.