Kingstown, April 9, 2026 – The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force has strengthened its investigative and evidentiary skills through a specialized lecture on the legal concept of dying declarations.
The session, held on April 9, formed part of the department’s ongoing professional development program aimed at enhancing investigative capacity and courtroom readiness.
Senior officers in attendance included Assistant Commissioner of Police Trevor Bailey, Superintendent Junior Simmons, Assistant Superintendent Nigel Butcher, and Assistant Superintendent Atland Browne, Officer in Charge of CID. They were joined by Inspector Biorn Duncan, Inspector Cassankie Quow, and other CID staff.
The lecture was delivered by Mr. Colin William, former Director of Public Prosecutions and former judge in Belize and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Mr. Williams provided a comprehensive overview of dying declarations, explaining their admissibility as an exception to the hearsay rule, the discretion exercised by courts in admitting such evidence, and the distinction between dying declarations and dying depositions.
He further illustrated these principles with practical case references, emphasizing the importance of accurate documentation and grounding evidence in established legal precedent. Officers actively engaged in discussions and a question-and-answer segment, demonstrating keen interest in strengthening their understanding of this critical evidentiary concept.
Historically, the CID has also run junior detective training courses locally, covering areas such as statement taking, case file preparation, crime scene management, handling exhibits, and ethics. These programs have aimed to build a strong foundation for younger officers entering investigative roles
These initiatives reflect the CID’s commitment to continuous learning and professional excellence, ensuring investigators are equipped with the legal and practical knowledge necessary to support successful prosecutions and uphold justice.