The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) has received a boost in its equipment to combat crime and serve the citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
On Friday 15th March 2024, Mr. Tony Browne, a 36-year veteran of the York Regional Police Department in Canada, donated five (5) desktop computers, three (3) laptops, one (1) projector, and notebooks to the RSVGPF. The brief handover ceremony was held at the Police Headquarters, Kingstown.
Mr. Browne, a native of Coulls Hill, was very excited to hand over the pieces of equipment to the Commissioner of Police (Ag), Mr. Enville Williams.
Reminiscing on his years as a law enforcement officer, Mr. Browne said, “Working at the York Regional Police Dept., I have seen the organization grow from one typewriter in the Criminal Investigations Bureau to one of the most advanced police services, boasting the best in resources, training and technological advances. It is with this same vision and goal in mind that I am donating these computers today to the RSVGPF”.
According to the retired police officer, the York Regional Police Dept. has had a long and close working relationship with the RSVGPF. “This is not the first donation that we are making to the SVG Police Force. In 2015, we donated several computers and other investigative aids and training materials including sexual assault kits to assist in setting up the Sexual Offences Unit (SOU).”
He went on, “In 2018, we delivered two refurbished police cruisers, 15 laptops, 6 VHF Radios, and other accessories. Then in 2019, we donated two repeaters, cables for two radio towers, and other accessories. In 2023, as a member of the visiting Toronto Police Cricket Club, we donated 1000 Canadian dollars, school supplies, and nutritional products to the Police Scholarship Fund for distribution to the children of ‘fallen officers.’
Mr. Browne concluded his remarks by thanking Acting Commissioner Williams and the Police High Command for the opportunity to continue the ‘meaningful collaboration and partnership.’
In receiving the donation, the Commissioner of Police (Ag), Mr. Enville Williams thanked Mr. Browne on behalf of the members of the RSVGPF and by extension, the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Commissioner (Ag) stated that the newly acquired equipment will be used to enhance the organization’s crime-fighting ability and data management capabilities. He assured Mr. Browne that the equipment will be utilized for the purpose for which they were intended, and that measures will be put in place to ensure their care.