Two local police officers complete training in the Dominican Republic

In a time when criminal networks stretch across borders with alarming ease, law enforcement must rise to meet that challenge with equal reach and unity, the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) said. Recognising this the RSVGPF said it is proud that Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Thecla Andrews-Thomas, and Corporal of Police, Edson Smith graduated from the prestigious Police Professional Development Network (REDPPOL) programme, a regional initiative focused on equipping officers with the tools and mindset to confront trans-national crime through cooperation and innovation.

The officers completed the III Curso Presencial de Capacitación Policial (Third In-Person Police Training Course) held from June 22 to July 17, 2025, in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic. The course was organised by the Escuela de Seguridad Multidimensional (ESEM – Multidimensional Security School) of the Universidad de São Paulo (USP – University of São Paulo), in partnership with the Organization of American States. REDPPOL serves as the platform uniting officers from 28 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, building networks to confront modern security threats collaboratively.

The police said the course delivered 180 hours of intensive training, blending theoretical learning with practical application in areas such as public affairs, institutional strengthening, and transnational crime response.

Participants were evaluated daily on content mastery, and both ASP Andrews-Thomas and Cpl. Smith met and exceeded expectations, successfully completing all modules required for certification. The training culminated with MISPA VIII (The Eighth Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Public Security of the Americas) where all REDPPOL participants, including the Vincentian officers, presented their country’s best policing practices before interested delegates.

The RSVGPF outlined that, “One of the defining principles of the REDPPOL training is this powerful truth: ‘Crime and criminals have no borders, so neither should law enforcement’”. It added that this core idea guided much of the course’s methodology, encouraging cross-border problem-solving, shared operational strategies, and a spirit of regional solidarity that is increasingly essential in today’s security landscape.

Beyond coursework, the programme emphasized network-building, with officers forming lasting professional relationships across jurisdictions. This collaborative mindset is at the heart of REDPPOL’s mission: to strengthen hemispheric cooperation and ensure that no nation faces security challenges in isolation. In this way, the RSVGPF said its presence at the table signals its
readiness to lead and learn as part of a broader Caribbean-Latin American alliance.