May 10, 2025 – Kingstown: Forty (40) officers from the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) have successfully completed a week-long Subject Matter Expert (SME) Training Program in Human Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, and Marksmanship. The training concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Argyle Fire Station Training Room.
The course, which ran from May 5–9, 2025, was a collaborative effort between the Florida National Guard and the RSVGPF Training Unit. It combined theoretical instruction with practical exercises aimed at strengthening the RSVGPF’s capacity to combat transnational organized crime and enhance law enforcement capabilities in marksmanship.
Delivering opening remarks at the closing ceremony, Lieutenant Commander (Ag.) Williams Theobalds, Training Officer of the RSVGPF, described the training as both timely and essential. “The challenges posed by transnational organized crimes such as human and drug trafficking are complex and ever-evolving. They demand intelligence, strategy, cooperation, and above all—readiness,” said Lt. Cmdr. Theobalds. He emphasized that the training partnership with the Florida National Guard would lead to a more resilient and capable police force.
Major Michael Ozemba, Officer in Charge of the Florida National Guard delegation, addressed the critical nature of the training in his remarks. He highlighted the global impact of trafficking and praised the State Partnership Program for its role in fostering international collaboration.
“The role that the National Guard’s State Partnership Program and collaborations with various countries have played is vital in combating these crimes. The collaborations and partnerships formed through these efforts reflect the best of what we can achieve when we work together.”
“Trafficking often hides in plain sight and targets the most vulnerable. Through partnerships like this, we stand a better chance of combating these crimes effectively,” said Major Ozemba.
The keynote address was delivered by Superintendent of Police Junior Simmons, Head of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit (ATIPU). Superintendent Simmons detailed the devastating interconnections between human and drug trafficking, noting that drug networks often facilitate human smuggling and that addiction is commonly used as a tool of control by traffickers.
He cited sobering statistics:
● According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), an estimated 49.9 million people are trapped in modern slavery.
● Human traffickers generate approximately USD $150 billion annually.
● Drug trafficking generates an estimated USD $500 billion annually, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
“Together, these crimes represent the most profitable criminal enterprises in the world,” said Superintendent Simmons. He underscored the role of law enforcement as the first line of defence and emphasized the importance of identifying victims, not just perpetrators.
In addition to trafficking topics, the training also focused on enhancing marksmanship—a vital skill for officer safety and public protection. Superintendent Simmons highlighted the benefits of strong marksmanship, including faster and more accurate threat response, reduced risk to bystanders, and overall improved operational effectiveness.
The week-long program also provided a platform for knowledge exchange, strategic discussion, and reaffirmation of the RSVGPF’s commitment to justice, protection, and the prevention of crimes.
The Commissioner of Police and all ranks of the RSVGPF extend their congratulations to the participating officers on the successful completion of this critical training initiative.
