RSVGPF to name a scholarship after slain officer Philbert Chambers

A scholarship will be named after the late Sergeant 209 Philbert Chambers, as one of many honours intended to be set up in the young officer’s memory, by the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF).

The Commissioner of Police, Colin John, made these announcements while delivering a tribute at the funeral service of Sergeant Chambers, who died in the line of duty on Sunday, April 26.

At the Barrouallie Recreational Park, where the funeral service was held, the Commissioner told those listening that Chambers “was very young when he died but his contribution cannot be matched by many senior officers.”

The Sergeant was only 30 years old when he was killed, and had served over 11 years in the RSVGPF.

“At the rate in which Chambers’ was going, the lowest rank I could have seen him attain is the rank of Superintendent, and I am honest about that,” John told the crowd.

Chambers had achieved Corporal in 2018, and the rank of Sergeant this year.

The promotion committee had an easy decision to make when Chambers’ was recommended for promotion, the Commissioner revealed.

“I really, really want to thank him for the tremendous service that he has given to the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Caribbean law enforcement,” the COP stated.

In Sergeant 209’s memory, the Commissioner said that he and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Frankie Joseph have discussed, and decided that “a scholarship would be named in his honour as part of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.”

Additionally, he revealed that a plaque with his photo will be hung at the sentry post at the Central Police Station.
“We are also in consultation and would speak to the relevant authorities as regards it, to retire the number 209…so that no other police officer would ever get that number,” John indicated.

The Commissioner stated that Chambers was a “hero”, who paid the “ultimate price” and gave up his life to the RSVGPF.

“I just want to say thanks to his parents for giving us this hard working professional, dedicated worker,” John stated.

The Commissioner recalled in his tribute that Chambers as a constable, was “very motivated, very proactive, very much involved in everything.”

After being promoted to Corporal, he worked “assiduously” to make sure things were done, and in a professional manner, John said.

He worked with various police youth clubs, and led the Questelles police youth club for a number of years, where he mentored several young persons.

The Commissioner recalled a story of one youth club member whose life Chambers’ changed for the better after Chambers vouched for him to get a job with a farmer. This youth club member went on to become a member of the St Christopher and Nevis Police Force.

John relayed that his colleagues remember Chambers as doing the work of 10 police officers, as being thorough, and fair. “But most of all, he was fearless, and it is my belief that it is because of his fearless nature that caused him to be at the forefront of the battle when he realised his demise,” the Commissioner commented.

Additionally, he noted that the Sergeant also devoted his time to helping the elderly. “He would go to several business places in the community and solicit support from them, and prepare food baskets for the elderly in the community,” John informed.

Commissioners across the Caribbean and the Executive Director of the Regional Security System, are among those that have sent their condolences since Chambers’ passing.

At the end of his tribute, Commissioner John asked the other members of the RSVGPF to emulate the attributes that Chambers possessed, and expressed his wish that Chambers’ have “perpetual rest and may God’s light shine on him.”