Andrew Greiff arriving on Grand Cayman in 1973, with Alexander Sommerville
(CNS Local Life): Andrew Greiff, who served as the Cayman Islands Commissioner of Police from 1973 until his retirement in 1990, died last week at the age of 90. He met Thomas Russell in the Solomon Islands while travelling around the Pacific between 1967 and 1973. At the time he was acting as Police Advisor to the Tongan Royal Family, but his next job was as the Cayman CoP, where his friend was now governor of the Cayman Islands.
According to his obituary, the Cayman Islands Police Force under Andrew Greiff was known for being well-organised and highly disciplined. As one close friend from those years, Neil Cruickshank, remembers, “Andy was the only man I knew who could bark orders without opening his lips.”
During his long police service, Andrew Greiff received both the Colonial Police Medal and the Queen’s Police Medal. He was also awarded the Royal Order of the Crown of Tonga for his service to that country.
See full obituary: Andrew Greiff, 30 November 1926 – 13 October, 2017
What a wonderful tribute. Of note the officer in the photograph, Alex Sommerville, also sadly passed away in August if this year at the age of 73. He was also awarded the CPM for his service in Bermuda, Cayman and Hong Kong.
Condolences to the family. He was an amazing man. Yes Neil you are so right about him barking orders without opening his lips. He was respected by all his officers. A memory that many of us will have at the station when his car pulled up out back “GREIFF COMING, GREIFF COMING” and all would run into position to salute him. Very fond memories. RIP