Caribbean Welfare Police Officers honour son of fallen colleague in SVG

The Caribbean Federation of Police Welfare Associations(CFPWA), has honoured the family of a late police officer, by presenting his son with a gift. This was done at the opening ceremony, May 8, 2024, of a three day meeting of the CFPWA in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Nine year old Raphael Dan, was called to the front of a room filled with delegates from the CFPWA, high ranking officers, and other guests to be honoured and presented with a gift, in the wake of the death of his father, Police Constable Robbin-Jah Spencer earlier this year.

PC Spencer, who was the only officer in St Vincent and the Grenadines that died between November 2023, and May 2024, was just one of approximately 60 officers who have lost their lives within the CFPWA between November 2023, and May 2024.

These officers were given a march and salute tribute, and their names were projected on a screen after a moment of silence.

The master of ceremonies, Shaquan Ashton, said that being a police officer for a long period can make one grow so close to their peers that they become like family. He said regardless of their flaws a police officer’s peers have become brothers and sisters.

“I just want to say that it is not easy to see your peers being given tribute to…but this is the job that we take and with the guidance of God, and the love and support from our loved ones…we’ll make it through; so to all the fallen soldiers, I just want to say that they all rest in peace.”

Ashton added that the Federation has decided to assist “one of our fallen brothers here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.” Young Dan, who was accompanied by his mother, Sabrina, was then presented with a gift on behalf of the Federation. The mother and son later told SEARCHLIGHT that they feel “great” that the Federation has decided to honour them.

Sabrina said that it is an initiative that she hopes will continue.

PC Spencer died by drowning on March 17, 2024, in an area between Brighton Bay and Salt Pond Beach, which is commonly referred to as “the deep” where he had gone fishing. He was buried on April 5, 2024, at the Kingstown Cemetery, and was accorded a full military funeral.

This year’s general meeting of the CFPWA was held under the theme: “Unity,Resilience, and Empowerment: Navigating Challenges, Shaping Tomorrow for Law Enforcement Officers Across the Region.”

The opening ceremony for the three day meeting, which was held at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown saw delegates from the Trinidad and Tobago Police and Social Welfare Association; the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Welfare Association; the Monsterrat Police and Fire Welfare Association; the Guyana Police Association; Jamaica Police Federation; the Royal Bahamas Police Staff Association; the Cayman Islands Police Welfare; British Virgin Islands Police Welfare Association; and the Antigua and Barbuda Police Welfare Association in attendance.

Also present at the opening ceremony were acting Commissioner of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Enville Williams; acting President of CFPWA, Ricardo Walkes; former president of CFPWA, Brenton Smith; Director of Public Prosecution, Sejilla McDowall; Opposition Shadow Minister for National Security, St Clair Leacock; Opposition Leader Dr Godwin Friday; Senior Magistrate, Colin John; Superintendent of Police, Junior Simmons; and other high ranking police officers.