Call made for CID officers to be issued with service pistols

Head of the Criminal Investigation Department in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), Superintendent Clauston Francis, has made a call for members of the unit to be issued with service pistols.

Speaking at the 2024 annual awards on March 7, 2025 at Police Headquarters in Kingstown, Francis highlighted this a matter which is of concern to him.

“I want to speak on the matter of staff security. I have previously requested that my staff be issued with service pistols. That request went flat. I am here making another plea for the same to be granted,” the CID head said at the event where the top brass of the RSVP was among those present.

Francis said the nature of work that his staff does demands protection, and the increase in gun crimes warrants that serious consideration be given to this request.

“I have seen the number of civilians applying for licenses to carry firearms. These persons are not involved in law enforcement but are concerned for their own safety. Members of staff were encouraged to apply to the Firearms Association for approval to carry a firearm. Those who got approval are still waiting for the cash to purchase their firearm. The price they are asked to pay for the same is outside their budget,” stated Francis as he spoke of the hurdles members of the CID encountered.

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