Kingstown Vincent May 7,2026 – The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines says senior police officers will be deployed into schools as part of a wider national security strategy aimed at tackling violence, gang activity and indiscipline among students.
Minister of National Security Major St. Clair Leacock announced the measure during a radio interview, saying assistant commissioners of police would be reassigned to maintain a stronger presence within the education system.
“You’re no longer going to have this feeling at the schools that you run things,” Major Leacock said.
“The police force are going to have a strong presence in the school systems.”
The move forms part of what the minister has described as a broader “retooling” and restructuring of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force amid increasing concern over violent crime and youth gang activity.
Earlier this month, Major Leacock announced major changes within the police force, including plans for two deputy commissioners of police and a strengthened operational structure intended to improve crime response and national security coordination. He said the police force “has to be retooled”.
The latest school intervention follows several recent incidents involving students that have sparked national debate about violence and discipline within schools.
In March, education officials, police officers and social stakeholders met during a national consultation on school violence after authorities reported growing concerns over student conflicts, bullying and gang influence.
At the consultation, Education Minister Phillip Jackson warned that the country faced a serious problem.
“Vincy, we have a problem,” he said.
Senior police officials have also warned about the influence of youth gangs on secondary school students.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Trevor “Buju” Bailey said recent incidents had “disturbed, unsettled, and raised difficult questions across the country”.
Authorities have linked some recent acts of violence to rival youth groups known as “6ixx” and “7even”, which police say have attracted school-aged youths.
In February, six people, including students and adults, were charged following a public fight near a school sporting event in Peter’s Hope.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Frankie Joseph has previously warned that school violence now extends beyond physical fights and includes cyberbullying, intimidation, gang influence and weapon-related concerns. The government has not yet announced when the reassignment of senior officers to schools will formally begin or how many officers will be involved.