October 13, Kingstown – The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) bade farewell to two (2) senior members from among its ranks. After serving for a combined total of over seventy-six (76) years, former Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr. Richard Browne, and Former Superintendent of Police (SoP), Mr. Timothy Hazelwood have retired from the RSVGPF after serving the organization and the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines with distinction.
Mr. Browne’s tenure as a police officer spanned over 37 years while Mr. Hazelwood served for 39 years.As both men transition into a new journey in life, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Colin John, the officers, and other ranks of the RSVGPF profoundly thank them for their service and dedication to duty; and wish them a very rewarding and happy retirement.
Citation of Mr. Richard Browne, Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP
Mr. Richard A. Browne was enlisted in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) on April 4, 1984. He received his initial training at the Regional Police Training School at Paragon Base, Barbados. On completion of his training, he was awarded the prize for Best at Drills.
After completing his first year of service, then Constable Browne was dispatched to Grenada on a Peace Keeping Mission after the United States (US) Intervention, where he spent five (5) weeks.
Before his enlistment, Mr. Browne was a member of the SVG Cadet Force (1978 – 1983). He attained the rank of Warrant Officer 11.
This knowledgeable and “all-around” former police officer worked throughout the ‘length’ and ‘breath’ of St. Vincent and the Grenadines protecting and serving the people at various departments and stations, including:-
Beat and Patrol
Criminal Investigations Department (CID)
Traffic Department (a combined total of 15 yrs. on two occasions),
Layou Police Station
Calliaqua Police Station
Georgetown Police Station
Mustique Police Station
Mr. Browne also served as the Divisional Commander for Eastern, South Central, Central, Grenadines, and Western Divisions, and Commandant of the Police Training School.
He attended and benefited from a myriad of training courses which added to his vast knowledge and experience including –
R.S.S Basic Military Training Course – Barbados
Junior Caribbean Traffic Officers Course – Barbados
Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Course – Jamaica
Human Rights Seminar – Uruguay
Human Rights Seminar – Guatemala
Incident Command System (ICS)
Court Prosecution – Barbados
Management Development programme and many others.
Mr. Browne was the Transportation Officer during the 2007 International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup (CWC) in the Caribbean region. He was an astute drills-man and parade commander. As part of his legacy, he spearheaded the modification of the Report of Medical Practitioner and the Incident Report Forms. He also authored “A Force Funeral Protocol”, a guide on holding funeral parades and other matters associated therewith.
On 21.9.2021, Mr. Browne retired from the RSVGPF at the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) after serving for over 37 years.
Citation of Mr. Timothy Hazelwood, Retired Superintendent of Police (SOP)
Mr. Timothy Steanson Eric Hazelwood enlisted in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) on December 1, 1981. He was an assertive, dedicated, loyal, and extremely effective police officer.
Due to his tenacity and drive, Mr. Hazelwood was one of the officers chosen to go to Grenada to perform peacekeeping duties in Grenada after the U.S Invasion.
Mr. Hazelwood was trained extensively locally, regionally, and internationally in various subject matters including but not limited to:
Police Dog Training Course in Drug Detection – West Yorkshire Police Dog Training School, U.K.
Police Dog Trainer, North State K-9 Academy, USA
Narcotics Investigations Course – Jamaica
Drug Commanders Course – Japan
RCMP Drug Workshop – Canada
Civil Defence – Brazil
Exercise Trade-winds
Infantry Officer’s Leader’s Course, US Army Infantry School – USA
Hazelwood was a very proficient and resourceful law enforcement officer who never shied away from an assignment. No matter how difficult the task was, he always found a way to get it done.
His prowess in policing was equally matched in many other areas, including sports and extracurricular activities. He was a medium pacer for the RSVGPF Premier Division Team and a member of the RSVGPF Football Team.
Mr. Hazelwood represented the RSVGPF at the local and regional and international levels in athletics with distinction. He was involved in Special Olympics and was a FIFA Certified International Football Referee who performed his duties beyond the shores of SVG.
During his policing career, Mr. Hazelwood worked at various departments and police stations including, Beat and Patrol, Special Unit (Calliaqua) Narcotics Unit, Biabou Police Station, NCO in-charge of Questelles Police Station, Inspector in-charge Special Services Unit (SSU), Port Facilities and Security Officer (PFSO), and Commander of Rapid Response Unit (RRU) popularly known as “Black Squad”.
He was truly a tactical and high-performance officer with a penchant for justice for the people he served. His service to the people of SVG is honourable and one for the annals of the RSVGPF.
After serving for 39 years, Mr. Hazelwood retired on December 10, 2020, at the rank of Superintendent.