Report wrongdoing by police – acting deputy COP

COMMENTS of “nothing is done” when civilians report acts of wrong doing by members of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) have been frowned upon by Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Junior Simmons.

In an interview on August 27, the Deputy Commissioner stressed that reports against police officers are taken seriously by the high command of the RSVGPF, and can result, and have resulted in officers being disciplined.

He said that as the RSVGPF moves toward building a strong relationship with the public, people are encouraged to report wrong doing as the constabulary is pledging a more responsive, people-centred approach to policing.

Speaking at Central Police Station in Kingstown, Deputy Commissioner Simmons, stressed that investigations are procedural and time-consuming, and that when they are completed, both the officer involved and the complainant are informed of the findings.

In some cases, he noted, outcomes are not made public in order to protect the privacy of the parties.

Simmons also highlighted the increasing use of mediation to settle certain matters between the police and complainants. This approach, he said, was recommended by the High Court and has since become part of the Force’s strategy to improve relations between the police and the public.

He explained that mediation sessions may include lawyers, their clients, police officers, and public relations officials, and said many of these disputes have been resolved amicably around the table, with complainants often expressing satisfaction

with the process.

The Deputy Commissioner said officers could be fired, demoted, or charged criminally along with other disciplinary measures if found guilty of an offence.

Appealing to citizens, Deputy Commissioner Simmons said stronger public support is needed in tackling rising firearmrelated crime, which he described as being at a worrying stage.

He urged Vincentians to report anyone suspected of having an illegal firearm, warning that such weapons can quickly become a threat to anyone, “…. you never know when the firearm can be used against you…”.

The policeman stressed that the RSVGPF “abhors” gun violence and is intensifying efforts to remove illegal guns from the streets of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), but stressed that success depends on community cooperation.

“We need your support in the fight against crime and violence in this country. We are at the stage where firearm related offences are spiking. It is not something that we welcome…and we want you the public to abhor it and join us in the fight in taking illegal guns off the streets,” Deputy COP Simmons said.