“Two Christmases in one” – this is how Head of Public Relations of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), Inspector Junior Simmons, described the donation of three vehicles and other equipment to the Police.
Simmons was at the time chairing the handover ceremony for the vehicles which came from two separate sources, the Scott family of Layou in conjunction with the Rotary Club of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the York Regional Police of Canada.
The first Christmas saw the handover of an SUV which will go to the Layou Police Station. Rueben John, President of the Rotary Club of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, said he was very pleased to partner with the RSVGPF, “This partnership is one of many and it is not new to the Rotary Club”. Furthermore, John is convinced that the “vehicle will go a long way to assist the Police in the intervention, prevention and detection of crime”. He thanked Vernon Scott for making the opportunity possible.
Vernon Scott, a member of the Rotary Club, said he saw the need in Layou for a Police transport thus he joined forces with Rotary to fulfill this need. According to Scott when the Police is called, they have to walk or beg for a ride, and so he assisted with the purchase of the vehicle. He credited the Rotary Club for making the handover a reality. Scott was accompanied by his wife, Stephanie, at the handover.
The second Christmas featured the handover from the York Regional Police of Canada. According to Deputy Chief, Robertson Rousse, retired Station Sergeant Tony Browne of Vincentian birth was very instrumental in this donation. Rousse described Browne as a person who is involved in community work in Canada and as overseas volunteer.
Rousse said their donation included 2 fully refurbished police cars, 6 radios, 19 lap tops and other items. The Deputy Chief was joined by retired Sergeant Tony Browne, Martin Mc Coller, Manager and Communications Specialist, Florette Israel who has been on the ground for a couple of days. Rousse a Trinidadian by birth noted that – “as a son of Caribbean birth – I have nothing but admiration for the work of the RSVGPF given the challenges of police services”.
Noting that the RSVGPF has more resources to aid in carrying out their duties, Commissioner of Police, Colin John expressed heartfelt thanks to the Scott family of Layou and the Rotary Club, and the York Regional Police of Canada for partnering with the Police.
Minister of National Mobilisation, Hon. Frederick Stephenson, was in Canada in October when plans were being made to ship the cars to this country and got the opportunity to see the vehicles loaded onto the container. Minister Stephenson explained that even from Cabinet level there have been discussions about sourcing more vehicles for the RSVGPF. He extended gratitude to the Scott family and the Rotary Club, and the York Regional Police for their timely donations to the Police.
Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Montgomery Daniel, stated the Government is fully concerned about crime in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. To this end, the Government is ensuring that “resources required are in place at all times even though other Ministries have to forgo something. We want to make sure that the Police are comfortable with their operations”, the Acting Prime Minister said.
Minister Daniel called the Scott family and the Yorkshire Police “friends of the Police Force”. He expressed his happiness with the two acts of kindness toward the Police and thanked them for their generous donations.
The hand over took place on Friday 30th November, 2018, at the Central Police Station.