RSVGPF honours fallen colleague

All those who enter the Central Police Station (CPS) in Kingstown and look to the left above their heads will see a plaque in memory of the late Sergeant 209 Philbert Chambers.

Sergeant Chambers died in the line of duty on Sunday April 26, 2020 at Campden Park. He was one month short of his 31st birthday.

Yesterday, members of the local constabulary including Commissioner of Police Colin John, Deputy Commissioner of Police Frankie Joseph and Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves attended a ceremony at the CPS where one plaque was handed over to the family of the deceased officer and another unveiled on the wall of the historic building.

Commissioner John explained that the placement of the plaque at the entrance of the CPS is the realization of a promise made during Sergeant Chambers’ funeral service on May 21.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves (centre) presents plaque to the Calbert and Coreen Bobb, parents of the late Sergeant 209 Philbert Chambers

He said during the funeral, he promised that the RSVGPF would recognize Sergeant Chambers with a plaque to recognize his service to the police and St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

“We are realizing this promise. I thank his parents for allowing us to enjoy his service and dedication,” Commissioner John told the gathering while describing the fallen officer as an excellent investigator who was good at community policing and worked well with both the youths and elderly.

“It is the first time we are unveiling a plaque in memory of a fallen comrade and I am hoping it is the last,” Commissioner John said while adding that this may be unlikely because of the nature of the job.

Commenting, Sergeant Chambers’ brother Fitzborne Chambers (a former police officer) said his family can be considered a policing family, as he enlisted on September 1, 1995, after which his brothers Kishroy, Philbert and Desmond joined. He said he also has a brother in the British Armed Forces.

He said his brothers love policing and that is so because of the principles taught to them by their parents who did not “stick nonsense”.

Fitzborne said his brother’s life is being celebrated because of his love for policing and his contribution and commitment to what he loved.

Also addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said the greatest burden of his office is when he gets news that a citizen has a sudden or unnatural death, or a death by criminal violence.

“And it is particularly burdensome and painful, and it weighs heavily on me when one of the persons who dies in such circumstances is a police officer,” said Gonsalves.

He noted that Chambers was an “excellent policeman”, and a rising police officer who was highly disciplined and trained and knew the dangers of the job.

Gonsalves said Chambers took an oath to uphold law and order and he was using his best judgment, “and we can’t criticize him. We mourn his loss, and this is a young man whom I know the powers that be were looking at for higher things in the police force.”

The deceased officer’s parents, Calbert and Coreen Bobb were also present at the ceremony. The father said he was
very appreciative of the gesture.

[Changed as at 11:50am on September 2, to reflect the true names of the late Sergeant Chambers’ parents]