Inside the head of a police officer on Independence Parade

Yes, I am one of them: a police officer who is proud, polished, and prideful to be a part of the celebration of our nation’s 46th anniversary.

Free from oppression and independent of the chains that massacred and worked our ancestors to the bone.

But as I stood there in my well-pressed uniform, shoes that reflected the lights — effortlessly screaming the countless hours I spent on them, through every glance — and a fresh haircut that complemented my confident, yet nervous smile, I wondered, the question burning in mind: How independent am I, truly?

How free are we as a police force, compelled to stage a spectacle annually for the citizenry we serve? How free are we as a nation, waiting and watching, not for inspiration, but for the chance to scavenge from the Prime Minister’s “goodie bag“? And how are we free as a government that prioritises receiving financial aid over promoting sustainable development, or passing the blame and scorn to the ones tasked with the detection and prevention of crime, over actually committing to fix it?

I know some of you might be discouraged after sensing the tone of my frustration, but to those of you who are encouraged to read on, let me share with you my thoughts as I stood there in the ambient atmosphere of that parade ground, listening to the attempts of individuals to mask a political agenda with the celebration of national pride.

I was devastated. I had the urge to simply lift the rifle tight in my grasp and make an “about-turn” on the entire field.

This was not because the police were, yet again, overlooked by the Minister of National Security, filling our ears with unrealistic expectations on actually getting any feasible returns on advanced education, and a promise to “negotiate“. Nor was it because I felt other government agencies are better compensated. In fact, I thought I would have been more upset seeing some of my colleagues, less deserving of their proudly worn ranks — their manufactured smile and their attempt to lead the guards having been politically blessed — but I was not.

I became upset — no, disappointed — because the prime minister, again, failed to paint a future where the mismanagement of crime will be addressed but continues to bless political affiliation, and ignore merited attempts. He failed to apologise for the mistakes made to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the firing of those individuals who did not take the vaccine, amidst the efforts of many governments around the world to make amends. 

He failed to preach togetherness, which goes beyond mere words, as the political divide is great. Crucially, he failed to convince me that the angst and paralysing fear I feel for my children’s future won’t simply be spent recklessly, with no regard and no remorse.

I am not qualified to lecture anyone on how to run a country; I am both a citizen and a police officer who has expectations, like every one of you, for the future of my country. I hope this finds you well, Prime Minister. I am not here to convince anyone to vote left nor right. I am here to ask you to revisit placing officers in positions that perpetuate the crime situation instead of fixing it.

Stop meddling in the selection process of new recruits. Those you send are giving the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force a bad name. Institute a better system for promotion, as the one you currently facilitate discourages officers with the knowledge, skills, and drives them into the arms of other nations’ security forces.

Do not just speak about crime; commit to fixing it. The police force needs to revise its mode of operations, it needs a restructure, and it needs a competent head who knows what he is doing. Prime Minister, the commissioner who you appointed is lacking in every conceivable way.

Now for the reason why I am writing: I am urging my fellow officers, as we cast our ballots in this upcoming general election on Nov. 27,  please ask yourselves: “Am I free?” Rid yourselves of any bias that you might have, and cast a vote, not just on the perspective that it is most beneficial to you, but to your children, your neighbours, for better crime-fighting solutions, and a sustainable future for SVG.

We are not disposable — no matter how much they make us believe otherwise.”

One of Them

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