Overview of the Royal Grenada Police Force
The earliest record of the existence of Police in Grenada, dates back to the year 1853, when policing was only a part-time occupation and the Magistrates of the towns were given charge of the Police of their district.
In 1854, the Colonial Government took over Fort George as the Headquarters for the Police and the Militia. The Fort was named “Fort Royal’ when it was constructed in 1705, but it was changed some years later to Fort George. The Police was supplied with arms and ammunition, was given the authority to administer their own affairs. It was at this time that the modern Grenada Police Force began to take shape.
The first recorded enlistment in the Police Force was that of 3rd class constable James B. Williams, a native of Nevis. He was enlisted on the 13th September, 1890. In the year 1893, Andrew James and Taylor Williams were also enlisted. Between the years 1894 and 1913 there were sixty-one enlistments. The strength of the Police Force in 1923 was ninety-two (92) persons, men only.
The first known Chief of Police was Major A E Cappel, who occupied that position from 1912 to 1920. During his period as Chief of Police, the Force was run along strict Military lines.
The March 13th Revolution of 1979, brought about many changes, including an end to the long occupation of Fort George by the Police. This occupancy began in 1854 and ended in 1979, when the Police Department (headquarters) was transferred to a building on Melville Street, St. Georges on the 24th May, 1979.
Furthermore, during the Revolution, its name was changed from the Royal Grenada Police Force, to the Royal Grenada Police Service. People’s Law No. 38 of 1980, which was published in the Government Gazette on 1st August, 1980, announced the amendment. However, after the revolutionary period, it went back to being called the Royal Grenada Police Force. Ordinance No. 14, dated 17th September, 1984, effected this amendment.
The Royal Grenada Police Force is established according to The Police Act Cap 244, of volume 11 of the 2010 Continuous Revised Edition of the Laws of Grenada. This law deals with the organization, administration, discipline, powers and duties of the Royal Grenada Police, and other matters related to policing.
Section Five (5) of the Police Act states: “The force shall be employed in Grenada for the maintenance of law and order, the preservation of the peace, the protection of life and property, the prevention and detection of crime, the enforcement of all laws and regulations with which it is charged, and the apprehension of offenders. For the performance of such duties, police officers may carry arms in accordance with the regulations made under this Act.”
The Force allows for 1025 sworn positions, although the current actual strength is 940, of which, over seven hundred (700) are males and one hundred and thirty (130) are females. The RGPF has Three Hundred and Eighteen (318) ranked officers. This number includes front line supervisors, middle and senior managers, and executives.
The members of the Royal Grenada Police Force executive team are:
Commissioner of Police: Mr. Edvin Martin BSc(Hons) MSc (ccj).
Deputy Commissioner of Police: Franklyn E. Redhead, MBA, MA (pscj);
Assistant Commissioner of Police: Mr. Michael Francois
Assistant Commissioner of Police: Mr. Jessmon Prince
Assistant Commissioner of Police: Mr. Trevor Modeste MBE.
The force has fifteen (15) Departments, fourteen (14) Police stations and 2 sub stations.
Departments:
Stores/Logistics (includes Tailor Shop & Cobbler Shop), Coast Guard, Criminal Investigation Department, Special Branch, Special Services Unit (includes Rapid Response Unit), Criminal Records Office, Traffic & Transport Department (includes Licensing Dept.), Fire Department, Community Relations Department, Police Garage, Prosecution Department, Audit Department, ICT/Operations Center, Immigration Department and Drug Squad.
Police Stations:
Central Police Station, St. Pauls Police Station, Mt. Royal Police Sub Station, South St. George Police Station, St. Davids Police Station, Hermitage Police Station, Grenville Police Station, Birchgrove Police Station, Union Police Station, Victoria Police Station, Gouyave Police Station, Grand Roy Police Station, Sauteurs Police Station, Carriacou Police Station, Petite Martinique Police Station, Bus Terminus Police Sub Station.