SVG police officers win regional ACCP awards

Inspector of Police Hawkins Nanton has won the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) Top Caribbean Career Move Officer Award, sponsored by Amalgamated Security.

Nanton, who is in charge of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines{{more}} Police Force (RSVGPF) Public Relations and Complaints Department, received the award at the 30th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the ACCP on Wednesday, May 12, 2015, at the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site in St Kitts. He also received a prize of US$5,000. Assistant Superintendent of Police Mashama Sealy of St Lucia placed first runner-up in the Top Caribbean Career Move Officer Award category.

Inspector of Police Trevor Bailey of St Vincent and the Grenadines placed second runner-up in the Top Crime Fighter Award category, which was won by Inspector Eddie Monlouis of St Lucia. First runner-up in that category was Constable Milawn Frank of Grenada.

Vincentian Constable Cornelius Pompey, a police officer in Cayman Islands, who previously worked with the (RSVGPF), copped the award for Top Caribbean Community Policing Officer. Constable Silvina James of St Lucia captured the first runner-up position and Corporal Stephen Billy of the RSVGPF placed second runner-up. An elated Commissioner of Police, Michael Charles, whose officers received three of the top awards, collected on behalf of Bailey and Billy.

Inspector Nanton said he sincerely thanks Commissioner Charles for nominating him for the award, as well as the other Commissioners of Police for the support that they have given to him since joining the Police Force on August 2, 2012. He further stated: “I am most grateful to the Government and people of St Vincent and the Grenadines for the opportunity to serve my country. Moreso, I will like to immensely thank my wife, Malika Nanton and children for their love and support, as well as Superintendent Kenneth John for mentoring me all the way and Corporal Rochelle Smith for being a tower of strength. I will also like to thank Station Sergeant Junior Simmons and every member of the rank and file of the organization, who has provided me with support.”

Inspector Nanton holds a Diploma in Print and Online Journalism, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations (First Class Honours) from the University of the West Indies and a Master of Arts Degree in Communication from Carlton University, Ottawa, Canada. Prior to his enlistment into the constabulary, Nanton worked in the journalism field for 17 years at different media establishments in St Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica, including the SEARCHLIGHT newspaper, where he worked his way up to the positions of Marketing manager, editor of the Searchlight Midweek Newspaper and assistant editor of the Searchlight Weekend Edition.

Nanton was recruited into RSVGPF at the rank of inspector under the organization’s Graduate Entry Programme, a programme which enables suitable qualified members of the general public to be recruited into the organization at a particular rank. With his expertise in public relations and media relations, Inspector Nanton was placed at the Public Relations and Complaints Department as the second in command.

Inspector Bailey is a 24-year veteran of the RSVGPF. He was enlisted on November 19, 1990. At the conclusion of his initial training at the Old Montrose Training School, he was adjudged the Best Recruit for placing first on the training course. From that time to the present, he never relented in his quest to being an efficient law enforcement officer.

At his nomination, he was attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for 20 consecutive years and headed the Major Crimes Unit (MCU).

Inspector Bailey is one of the top detectives in the RSVGPF. His deep passion for investigations is unsurpassed by few in the organization – and this has easily made him one of the most effective, reliable and recognized police officers in the country.

Corporal Billy has been a police officer for over 12 years, having been enlisted on October 8, 2002. He excelled during his initial training at the Old Montrose Police Training School and placed second overall at the completion of his training course.

After graduating from Training School, Cpl. 776 Billy was deployed to work at the Fire Department then was later transferred to the Headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). After working for five years at CID, in 2007 he was transferred to the Chateaubelair Police Station as the detective for that District.

It was during this stint that he got involved in the philosophy of Community Policing in a

real and personal way. Cpl. 776 Billy is one of the two foundational creators of the Police Youth Club and the formation of the Petit Bordel Police Youth Club is his brainchild,

one of the first clubs that was established.

A panel of international judges was recruited by Amalgamated Security to review all nominees. (Police Public Relations)