Needham retires from RCIPS

(CNS): The stability of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) leadership has taken another hit with the retirement of Superintendent Mike Needham, who has served for more than ten years in the Cayman Islands as part of his 41 year policing career but will be leaving at the end of this week. Most recently he has held two crucial positions within the RCIPS — as head of the Financial Crimes and the Marine Unit. Almost at the compulsory police retirement age, Needham said that it was still one of the hardest decisions he has ever had to make.

“I served with the UK police for 32 years and with the RCIPS for a further 10 years. I am very proud of the Financial Crime Unit which I helped to re-form after the Euro Bank affair and also the new marine base and police boats we commissioned recently. I have really enjoyed being a police officer and I will miss all my colleagues dearly. I wish them well,” he said.

Needham has been instrumental in a number of police initiatives and has assisted in modernizing many aspects of the service. Most recently, he oversaw the two year project to upgrade and boost marine capabilities with new vessels, additional staff and a dedicated marine base. He joined the RCIPS  in January 1999 as the Detective Chief Inspector in charge of the Commercial Crime Branch, following a 31-year career with Lancashire Police in the United Kingdom. He has worked in a number of roles including head of the Joint Intelligence Unit, a unit he established in 2001 comprising police, customs and immigration in. Promoted to Detective Superintendent in May 2003 he then established the Financial Crime Unit (FCU) – a unit dedicated to investigating serious fraud, money laundering and corruption offences. Amalgamated from the Commercial Crime Branch, the FCU has grown to be one of the most recognized in the region and has twice been awarded the highest marks for any North American and Caribbean country following inspections by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.

Needham has received a total of ten commendations for his work, ranging from his conduct during investigations, the speed of investigations, his perseverance, professionalism and his devotion to duty.

Acting Commissioner of Police,  James Smith said that although he has not known Needham very long, he will be missed. “Mr Needham has clearly achieved a great deal during the course of his 40-year career and he should leave policing feeling extremely proud. I wish him all the best for the future,” said Mr Smith.

Needham although retiring from the force is believed to be taking up a position in the private sector.

For more information about a career in policing, visit the RCIPS website at www.rcips.ky.