Police, Prison Officers pursue Criminology, Criminal Justice studies at UWI

Twenty-six officers of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), and two Officers of His Majesty’s Prisons (HMP), have enrolled in the Bachelor of Science programme in Criminology and Criminal Justice at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus, Antigua and Barbuda.

The milestone was marked during the Campus’s Matriculation and Welcome Ceremony, held at the university’s gymnasium, and livestreamed across all UWI campuses, the RSVGPF states in a release.

The event was viewed virtually at home at the conference room of the Beachcombers Hotel.

Among those present were: Commissioner of Police, Enville Williams; Director of training at the Service Commissions Department, Dr Athalie Caine-Soleyn; Superintendent of Police, Dr. Kamecia Blake; Dr. Ellica Matthews, local Lecturer, UWI Five Islands Campus; and Assistant Superintendent of His Majesty’s Prisons, Julian Clarke.

Making remarks at the ceremony, were President of the Guild of Students, Francella Antoine; Campus Principal, Professor Justin Robinson; and Vice Chancellor of the UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles.

The RSVGPF said the enrolment represents a historic first for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as it is the largest group of law enforcement and correctional officers to simultaneously pursue higher education in the field of criminology and criminal justice.

“Their academic journey underscores a bold step toward professional development, modern policing, and strengthening the criminal justice system of the nation,” it points out in the release.

The Commissioner of Police hailed the event as a defining moment for law enforcement in SVG stating, “This historic achievement demonstrates our officers’ commitment to lifelong learning and professional excellence. By investing in education, we are not only shaping stronger leaders but also building a more resilient and modern justice system for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines”.