A 67% increase of persons in the RSVGPF since 2001 – PM

The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) takes seriously its security and the country’s international obligations in this regard are very important to Government.

“Maybe that is why people have confidence in us to elect us, the smallest country ever, … to the [United Nations] Security Council which we will go on in January,” said Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves recently.

Addressing the launch of the Police Records Management Information System (PRMIS) at the Questelles Police Station, the Prime Minister noted that since 2001, the four main organisations that address crime on the frontline have been strengthened by the government.

These institutions are the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), the Fire Department, the Coast Guard and Her Majesty’s Prisons (HMP).

He said since 2001, the size of the RSVGPF increased from 665 persons to 1113, an increase of 67%. The Fire Department moved from 57 to 109, an increase of 91% while the Coast Guard moved from 65 firefighters to 100, an increase of 54%. HMP had an increase workforce of 47%, from 93 workers in 2001 to 137 in 2019.

This is an increase from 880 law enforcement officers in 2001 to 1359 in 2019, and Prime Minister Gonsalves said that the numbers will increase even more in the 2020 budget, as 81 recruits will soon be trained; 40 to replace 40 police officers who have retired and an additional 41.

Giving more statistics, Gonsalves said in 2001, $23.09 million was spent annually on these four institutions, but today it is $50.8 million, an increase of $27.7 million or 120%.

“So even if you discount for inflation by about 40%, you still will see that the actual increase in the numbers is very significant,” said Gonsalves who added that when we ask international agencies for help, they want to know what we are doing to help ourselves. “We believe in the general principle that the good Lord helps those who help themselves.”

Gonsalves stated that in addition to the aforementioned expenditures, the Government also spends annual sums on regional and international security set-ups.

This includes an annual $2 million on the Regional Security System (RSS), over $250,000 on the Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), a contribution of over $100,000 to Interpol and a contribution to the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police.

The Prime Minister also said that the government has built police stations in Questelles, Georgetown, Biabou, Canouan and Union Island and renovated and repaired several other stations. He however noted that some police stations need repairs and that will be addressed by the 2020 budget.

Gonsalves, also Minister of National Security, said reforms in the police force like the formation of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU), the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit (ATIPU), the Sexual Offences Unit (SOU) and the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) have played an important role in our security.

He noted also that SVG has also enhanced our border security with our secure e-passport and by applying the International Shipping and Port Security (ISPS) codes. Gonsalves also mentioned that the Transport and Security Administration (TSA) of the United States recently gave a passing grade to all aspects of security at the Argyle International Airport (AIA).