Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves met yesterday with Commissioner of Police, Colin John, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Frankie Joseph and the rest of the Police High Command including Coast Guard Commander Brenton Caine, the gazetted officer’s corps and the rank and file of the Police Force at the Old Montrose Police Lecture Hall.
The Prime Minister was accompanied to the meeting by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Mr. Godfred Pompey, which was attended by approximately 280 police officers.
The Prime Minister in his address to the gathering urged the officers to be knowledgeable about their duties and responsibilities and the powers vested in them by the laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as Police Officers.
He expressed the view that every police officer should seek to enforce and uphold the laws of the land no matter what department, division or station they are attached. Touching on the current issue of ‘noise’ and the Noise Act, Dr. Gonsalves advised the officers present that although they may not work at the Traffic Department, it does not mean that they should turn a blind eye to traffic offences that are committed or any other offences for that matter. He stressed that the portfolio of every police officer should incorporate all of the duties offences encapsulated in the Police Act and the Criminal Code respectively.
Touching on the issue of crime and crime fighting, the Minister of National Security commented on the resources that have been provided to the constabulary to fight crime. According to the Prime Minister, Police Officers are trained on a continuous basis both locally and internationally. He touched on the increase in the police establishment which is close to 900 officers and the construction and refurbishing of several police stations throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
He stated that all of these initiatives are geared toward improving the crime fighting strategies and response capabilities of the Police Force.
