A crippled police force


Today, I write, grappling with the reality of crime, specifically concerning the hindrances to the foundational obligation of the police force to prevent and solve crime.

I wish to bring this issue to the forefront of discussion, as we Vincentians are mere moments away from exercising our civic duty at the polls.

I am a part of this system, a system I want nothing more than to work, to function, to serve its people effectively.

As a police officer, I have been shaped into an individual programmed to endure the crippling reality of our mandate. We are forced to face the perpetual shadow of unspeakable crimes, the crushing rigidity of duties that permit no grey area, and the constant pressure of impartiality that is not even offered to ourselves.

Worse still, we endure the implied duty to look past the crimes committed by the privileged few. We operate under an agonising lack of resources that forces us to attempt the impossible with nothing. We see the truth: that the system is failing, not because of a lack of willing men and women or their competence, but because of deliberate and persistent political interference.

My organisation’s obligation to its citizens is simple: the detection and prevention of crime, ensuring safety and protection for citizens and visitors.

As one colleague put it, “Policies steer actions, and the lack of policies breeds chaos.” Yet, the current approach turns this obligation into a bitter irony for the police force. How can we effectively detect and deter crime when our primary tool, the serving men and women, are left critically underequipped? How can we fight crime effectively when the system lacks plans, policies, and strategies tailored to address it?

Can you imagine that in 2025, police stations throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines are without vehicles or enough vehicles for officers to use to perform duties? Can you imagine that of the few vehicles that we have, some have been down for weeks because of a simple clutch or brake issue? These are minor inconveniences for private companies but major challenges for the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. The failure to fix the system ensures the police are always one step behind the criminals, leaving Vincentians vulnerable.

What is truly more cynical is the government’s failure to act on this crisis or to hold anyone accountable. But who should we hold accountable? Who really runs this organisation?

After years of neglect, the inaction demonstrates not merely incompetence, but a profound and deliberate lack of intention to fix the sole law enforcement agency in SVG. This calculated lack of direction speaks volumes.

As we go to the polls to decide who will take this country into the future, I beg you to hold our leaders accountable for the fundamental safety of our communities.

As a police officer, I am not invisible. We are not invisible. I call upon the political parties and the independent candidates to adopt and prioritise a specific, actionable, and funded plan to resource, restructure, and reform our police force, one that prioritises the prevention of crime and invests in its detection.

As we head to the polls, I urge you to look beyond political rhetoric and consider the reality we face. The police force, tasked with protecting our communities, is operating under a system that is failing, one that puts both officers and citizens at risk. The lack of resources, accountability, and political will has left us vulnerable.

The time has come for real change. We, the officers on the front lines, are ready to do our part. But we need the tools, the resources, and the support to be effective. Voters, reject the rhetoric that all is well with the system. Demand a clear, actionable plan for reform that addresses the real challenges of crime detection and prevention, and police readiness.

Our future is at stake. It is time to choose a path of accountability and action, not complacency. Together, we can build a safer, stronger SVG.

One of them

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