St. Vincent and the Grenadines recorded no murder in October, with Prime Minister Godwin Friday calling it welcome news amid the country’s recent history — but warned that one month without a murder is no reason to ease up.
Addressing 109 recruits at the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force’s 43rd Passing Out Parade, Friday said the government’s next intensified crime-reduction phase would begin on Dec. 7, with a 90-day plan targeting illegal firearms, criminal gangs, border protection, intelligence sharing and greater police visibility.
The prime minister said too many families had lost loved ones and communities had been shaken by violence.
“We cannot accept a situation in which our people are afraid to walk the streets,” he said, adding that people should be able to conduct their businesses and let their children enjoy their communities.
In his address to mark the 47th anniversary of independence on Oct. 27, the prime minister announced that the government had established a national crime-reduction task force to improve coordination among relevant agencies.
Deputy Prime Minister and National Security Minister Major St. Clair Leacock and Attorney General Sarah Lewis Mitchell would co-chair the task force.
Friday said the 90-day plan would give particular attention to “illegal firearms, criminal gangs, our borders, intelligence sharing, and police visibility in our communities”, as well as protecting vulnerable young people.
He stressed that Dec. 7 would mark “the start of that intensified phase, not the start of our response”, saying work to protect the public was already under way.
The prime minister also pointed to the recent establishment of a police drone unit and ongoing anti-crime operations as part of efforts to build the force’s capabilities.
He said officers must receive the training, equipment and support needed to do their jobs effectively, while being held to high standards of professional conduct.
“You can be firm in enforcing the law, but still be fair,” Friday told the recruits. “Remember, you are not the law. You, like every one of us, is required to uphold the law.” He added: “You can never go beyond the law.”
‘trust must be earned every day’
Friday urged the recruits to treat people with dignity, exercise authority fairly and ensure that the uniform did not become “an excuse for arrogance and abuse”.
“The public must be able to trust the men and women who are sworn to protect us,” he said. “That trust must be earned every day” through professionalism, honesty, restraint and respect.
He noted to the graduates they were the first group of new police officers to be sworn in under his government, which came to office in November 2025.
The prime minister encouraged them to see their graduation as the start of a lasting career, not the end of their training.
“Being here today after six months of training is just the beginning,” he said. “You must continue lifelong learning. Develop your abilities. Take pride in serving your country, in serving your people.”
He said the recruits had accepted “a higher responsibility” by volunteering to protect others.
In moments of fear, anger, confusion or danger, the public would look to them for “sound judgement, unrelenting courage, fairness, and a willingness to go beyond the norm”.
Friday also urged them to live up to the RSVGPF’s motto: “We care, we serve, we protect.”
He said officers should “perform your duty with honour” and serve without favour.
Calls for community cooperation — and accountability within the force
The prime minister said police could not reduce crime alone, calling for cooperation from parents, teachers, churches, community leaders, businesses and ordinary citizens who have information that could help prevent or detect crime.
But he said public cooperation depended in part on police conduct. “Cooperation grows where there is trust,” he said. “Let’s build that trust.”
He also called on the recruits to help maintain standards within the force. “It is not enough to say it’s not me, it’s him,” Friday said, warning that misconduct by individual officers could affect the reputation of the whole organisation. “Everyone will be affected by bad apples.”
Friday said the government would work with police leadership to address the loss of experienced officers through retirement and create better opportunities for younger and capable personnel to build lasting careers in the force.
He said 24 officers from the Special Services Unit and other operational units had completed three months of basic Regional Security System training in Grenada, the largest contingent from the force to complete the programme.
Friday reminded the graduates that the real test would come after the ceremony — in their daily decisions and interactions with the public.
“Wear your uniform with pride. Guard your reputation and your good name faithfully,” he said.
“The people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines … are all counting on you. I am counting on you.”