Nelica Kirby, a retired corporal of police, has made history again by becoming the first female to be appointed a High Court bailiff in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
Justice Rickie Burnett congratulated Kirby on her appointment during a special sitting of the High Court to mark the closing of the assizes.
He also commended Marvin Mulcaire on his promotion to senior bailiff.
Lawyer Ronnie Marks congratulated the two bailiffs, saying Mulcaire has served the court with distinction.
“He is very knowledgeable, and he deserves the elevation that he has received,” Marks said.
He said that Kirby was his classmate in primary school and they have remained close friends.
“We sat on the same bench and made a lot of trouble in Miss Peters’ school,” he told the court, adding that he is proud of the new bailiff.
“I know what a hard worker she is; I know how dedicated she is to the job and I know she will bring another aspect of experience and honour to the job, and I congratulate her,” Marks said.
“My nose swell,” he said, using a Vincentian expression meaning that one is very proud of another person’s accomplishment.
President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Bar Association, Shirlan “Zita” Barnwell, congratulated Kirby on her appointment.
“This is nothing new, just a different role, and that is an easy transition for her… She understands her role very well.”
Director of Public Prosecution, Sejilla McDowall, who was toasted during the same special sitting of the court as she prepares to take up her appointment to act as a judge, also congratulated Kirby.
Counsel Grant Connell and other lawyers also commended her on her appointment.
Kirby has significant experience in the local courts, as she was in charge of High Court No. 1 police guard at the time of her retirement in December 2024, after serving almost 30 years in the Royal SVG Police Force.
“It is a great feeling and I am proud, not only for myself but my immediate and extended family,” Kirby, who is from Barrouallie, said of her appointment.
This is not Kirby’s first history-making moment. In 1994, she was among the first batch of female recruits to be trained at the Old Montrose Police Station.
Before that, recruits were trained in Barbados.
She was one of two female officers originally assigned to the Rapid Response Unit (“Black Squad”) when it was established over two decades ago.
Her 30-year service also saw her stationed at the Chateaubelair, Rose Hall, Barrouallie, Layou, Vermont, Questelles, Calliaqua, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Central Police Stations, as well as the Coast Guard, Major Crime Unit, Criminal Investigation Department, Traffic Department and in Processing.
The new bailiff said she intends to serve the court to the best of her ability.
With such an impressove record i am wondering why Ms Kirby never made it beyomd a corporal after spending 30 years in the police force
I am willing to guess that she is perceived to be supporting the NDP or maybe she doesn’t give in to the pressure that most female officers have to go such as allowing an assuring kiss while on the job.