CID Officers praised for being honest, decent, virtuous and incorruptible

Head of the Criminal Investigation Department within the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), Superintendent Clauston Francis, has commended the courage displayed by his officers in the course of their duties.

“The job of a police officer is a tough one. It is one of the most challenging occupations to undertake. The demands of this profession are such that it takes courage to succeed,” Francis said on Friday, March, 7,2025 at the 2024 annual CID Awards held at Police Headquarters, Kingstown, under the theme ‘Courage, integrity and Commitment in Achieving Success’.

“A courageous officer must have the mental or moral strength to persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Courage is the ability to respond quickly to a report of gunshots going off in Rose Place. With most of these reports, you don’t know who or what calibre of firearm is being fired, but you are required to respond. That calls for bravery,” the CID head stated.

“I am delighted that tonight members of my staff would be recognized, appreciated and rewarded for the incredible job they did in 2024.”

In praising the members of the department under his supervision, Francis, who has served in a number of departments including the FIU, stated: “Integrity is one of the core values of the Police Force. At CID we have operated with strict adherence to that moral value. I am proud to state that my staff is honest, decent, virtuous and incorruptible. They do their utmost best to maintain the highest professional standards. They are all of impeccable character. You see it in the manner in which they carry themselves, and by their performance on and off the job.”

He said the officers at CID set examples for others to follow.

“ My staff has always acted in conformity with acceptable standards of right and wrong. I applaud them for that. They are not perfect, but they are doing their best to ensure that the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are safe,” Francis said.

He reported that in 2024 there was a marked reduction in the number of reported crimes compared to 2023. In 2023, the figure was 1,496, and in 2024 there were 1,263.

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