Superintendent looking for returns on investment from newly trained officers

A Superintendent of Police has warned 19 police officers who received formal and strategic training in public relations that they are the only ones who can tarnish the image of the police force.

The training programme which concluded on August 23, 2024, and dealt with Public Affairs Reporting for Law Enforcement, is one of several that was conducted this year.

So far, members of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force(RSVGPF), have received training in Crime scene management; Junior Criminal Investigation D Course; Small unit tactics; Forensics; Basic Seamanship; and Basic Engineering.

Superintendent of Police, Junior Simmons told the 19 officers who received the formal and strategic training in public relations that they add to the pool from which Commissioner of Police (ag),Enville Williams can draw, when the need arises for a “beefing” of the Public Relations and Complaints Department.

“And I wish to reiterate to the Commissioner that that time is now. The Public Relations and Complaints Department needs a boost in its staff in order to continue and improve on the very important work the department has been doing to build and enhance the relationship between the police and the public.”

The Superintendent added that in business, people invest for various reasons, including providing a service, and making a profit, and the RSVGPF is no different.

“The returns that the RSVGPF desires from its investment in you are professionalism, ethics and integrity; better relationship with the community; improved and more efficient service to the public; execute your duties without fear, favour, malice, or ill-will and with empathy and respect for human rights.”

Simmons said that public relations is about influencing, engaging, and building relationships with key stakeholders across St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“I want you to know that the only person who can tarnish the image of the police force is you; not John Public, but you. The way you interact with the public will either improve the relationship or derail it…”.

He pointed out that police officers cannot be doing public relations while seeking to improve the image and the relationship with the public on one hand, and dealing with complaints and other issues that can tarnish that same image and relationship on the other hand.

“This construct is an oxymoron and needs to be addressed immediately. I do hope that this training catapults this urgent separation of the offices.”

He said this call for separation is not new, it has been made by all of his predecessors including retired Superintendent, Artis Davis; former Assistant Superintendent, Jonathan Nicholls, deceased; and retired Assistant Superintendent, Hawkins Nanton.

Simmons concluded that the training was very successful, adding that it was efficiently executed by facilitators, Captain Rasheed Escobar and Sergeant Symone Simon from the Virgin Islands National Guard; and Sergeant (First Class) Benny Watson from the Florida National Guard.

He thanked the Commandant of the Police Training School and Training Officer of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Lieutenant William Theobalds, stating that there has been a marked improvement in the quantity and quality of training in the RSVGPF since his assignment to this post.