On Monday December 2, 2019, Commissioner of Police Mr. Colin John addressed a large gathering of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) on some pertinent issues that have affected the integrity of the organization. The meeting was held at the Old Montrose Police Station Lecture Hall and was attended by members of the police high command, gazetted officer’s corps and rank and file members.
The meeting commenced with an invocation by Pastor Adolphus Isaacs, Chaplain of the RSVGPF. Pastor Isaacs exhorted from the Book of Ephesians 6: 10- 14 and 2nd Corinthians 10:4 and prayed for members of the organization and their families.
In his address to the gathering, Commissioner John spoke directly to the issue of the three (3) police officers who were recently arrested and charged for various criminal offences.
The Commissioner definitively stated that under no circumstances will the organization condone any unlawful acts being perpetrated by a member of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.
He reiterated the fact that as police officers we took an oath and has a vested responsibility to protect the citizens of SVG and all of the visitors to our country. He stated like every other suspect, the officers are who were charge are deemed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law and that the law should be allowed to take its course. The Commissioner further stated that he will not compromise the integrity of the organization for anyone. He reminded the audience about the consequences of being caught up in corrupt practices merely for a few dollars and the risks involved; not only to themselves but also to their families and colleagues within the organization.
He thanked the hard working members of the organization for their support and encouraged them to continue on that path as the organization embarks on a quest to rebuild the trust between the general public and the police. The Commissioner lamented on some initiatives that has been employed to ‘bridge the gap’ between the police and the public. Some of the initiatives that were mentioned are the advent of the Police Youth Clubs, Pan against Crime, Police Band and Coast Guard Summer Programmes and the DARE programme, which he stated are also some of the organization crime prevention methods.
The Commissioner highlighted that crime generally has been on the decreased in most categories in recent years including 2019. Comparatively speaking, the Commissioner disclosed that during November 2018, there were thirty (33) reported murders to that of nineteen (19) for the same period in 2019. He attributed this reduction to the commendable effort and dedication of members of the organization to the prevention and detection of crimes.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr. Frankie Joseph also addressed the gathering. He stated that all police officers are placed in a position of responsibility and reminded the audience that they are servants of the people. He stressed that the RSVGPF has over the years place tremendous emphasis on initiatives that aided in building trust between the police force and the general public. He reminded the officers that it only takes one second for that trust to evaporate because in any relationship the easiest thing to vanish is trust and it will take many years to rebuild it.
He commended the efforts embarked upon to form the Police Youth Clubs (PYC) throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He also congratulated PYC’s Football, Netball and Basketball teams and management for winning 2019 the SVG Community Colleges Invitational Tournaments.
Other senior officers and rank and file members of the organization including Assistant Commissioner Richard Browne and Station Sergeant Mr. Brenton Smith, Chairman of the Police Welfare Association (PWA) also addressed the meeting.
The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force as part of its crime fighting strategies, raising public awareness and public relations will hold its Annual Christmas Crime Prevention Showcase on Friday, December 6, 2019 at 9:00am in front of the Central Police Station. Then on Friday December 13, 2019, the most anticipated and exciting carolling contest – the Police Credit Union – Standard Caribbean Shipping Inc Police Caroling Contest will kick-off at 7:00 pm at Central Police Station Yard. On Saturday December 21, 2019 will be the turn for the children of policemen and women to partake in the annual Children Christmas Party.
The final major event for the RSVGPF for 2019 will take place on Friday December 27, 2019 at the Russell’s auditorium from 6:30 pm. This event is dubbed “The Annual Police Awards and Retirement Ceremony”. This ceremony will see police officers being rewarded for dedication to duty and country.