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The earliest record of the existence of any police service
in Grenada dates back to the year 1853; when Policing was a part-time
occupation and the magistrate's of the major towns were given charge of the
police for that district. In 1854
the Colonial Government took over Fort George and established it as the
headquarters for the Police and the Militia. The fort was named Fort Royal when
constructed in 1705, but was later changed to Fort George. The Police
were then given arms and the authority to administer their own affairs and it
was at that time the modern Police Force began to take shape. The flagpole,
which stands high above the fort, was erected in 1915.The first record of
enlistment into the service was that of 3rd class constable James B Williams.
A native of Nevis, he was enlisted on the 13th September 1880 . In
1893 Andrew James and Taylor Williams were enlisted into the service;
between the years 1894 and 1913 there were sixty-one enlistments.
The first known Chief of Police was Major A E Cappel, who as Chief during the
period 1912 - 1920 ran the Force along strict military lines. In 1923 when
Major Heider-Stan assumed that responsibility, the Force was reorganized;
Regulations and Standing Orders were developed and at that time the Force was
segmented into Divisions and Departments with a clearly defined chain of
command. Seven police stations were established in 1923; namely Central, Gouyave,
Victoria, Sauteurs, Grenville, St. David's and Hillsborough. The Establishment
of the force at that time consisted of; 1 Chief of Police, 1 Sergeant Major, 2
Station Sergeants, 4 Sergeants, 6 Corporals, 15 Lance Corporals, 27 2nd Class
Constables, 35 3rd Class Constables and 1 Armourer Sergeant who served all the
windward Islands. The strength of
the force in 1923 was 92.
Past Chiefs' of Police
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Major A Cappel
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1912-1920
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Major D Herr
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1920-1922
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Major O Heidenstan
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1923-1928
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Major Turner
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1928-1937
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Major Arniston
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1938-1947
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Major Marden
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1947-1950
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Colonel Donald
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1950-1951
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Brigadier Pickthal
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1951-1953
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Major E M James
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1953
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Mr. J B G Austine
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1953-1956
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Mr. Mc Colgan
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1956
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With the enactment of the Police Regulations Section 66,
Chapter 244 of Volume IX of 1960 revised Laws of Grenada, the officer appointed
to the office of the Chief of Police was changed to Commissioner of Police and a new rank structure
was created.
Past Commissioners' of Police before
the Revolutionary period.
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Major J H Holley
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1956-1967
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Mr. M C Roberts
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1967-1968
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Mr. Ivan Quarless
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1968-1969
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Mr. Stephen Bascombe
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1969-1970
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Mr. R King
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1970-1971
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Mr. Nugent David
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1971
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Mr. R L Barrow
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1971-1973
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Mr. Nugent David
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1973-1974
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Mr. Osbert James
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1974-1975
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Mr. J Usen
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1975-1976
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Mr. Osbert James
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1976
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Mr. Adonis Francis
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1976
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Mr. Osbert James
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1976-1978
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Mr. Anthony Bernard
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1978
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Mr. Osbert James
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1978-1979
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During the Revolutionary period.
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Mr. Raphael Stanislaus
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1979
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Mr. James Clarkson
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1979-1981
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Mr. A B Bernard
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1981
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Major Ian St. Bernard
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1981
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Major Patrick Mc Leish
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1981-1983
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Commissioners' of Police
Post Revolutionary Period.
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Mr. Mervyn Holder
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1983-1985
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Mr. Russel Toppin
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1985-1987
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Mr. Cosmus Raymond
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1987
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Col. G Mignon
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1987
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Mr. Cosmus Raymond
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1987-1989
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Mr. Samuel H Brookes
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1989-1990
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Lt. Col. Nestor
Ogilvie
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1990-1997
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The March 13th Revolution of 1979 brought about
many changes including an end to the long period in which the police occupied
Fort George. This occupancy began
in 1854 and ended in 1979 when the Police Department was transferred to a
building on Melville Street, St. Georges on 24the May 1979. The Headquarters
of the force was later returned to Fort George in 1983.
The RGPF Police Band (Bugles and Drums) is among the oldest
Military Bands in the West Indies.
Past Band Masters.
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Mr. Mc Darport
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1910-1914
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Inspector Wilson
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1914-1918
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Mr. Coard
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1918-1932
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Inspector De Coteau
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1932-1970
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Inspector Clarkson
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1970-1972
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Inspector Mitchell
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1972-1984
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ASP Ignatius Roberts
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1984-2001
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Peoples Law No. 38 of 1980 Gazetted August 1 1980
brought about the change of the name from Force to Service
by its amendment. It was then
called the Royal Grenada Police Service but later Ordinance No. 14
dated September 17 1984 further amended it to Royal Grenada Police Force
as it is now called.
Prior to the year 1984, Police Officers recruited into the
force were trained at the Regional Police Training Centre, Barbados and at True
Blue in the southern part of St. Georges. The latter part of the year 1984
saw a turning point in the Training of Officers when the Royal Grenada Police
Force Training School became operational. It
was located at Fort George and was managed by One Commandant and six
Instructors. To date 31 classes
(called batches) of
Recruits were trained at the Training School. ASP Roderique James its current
Commandant.
Past Commandants of the Training School.
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Supt. Joseph Robinson
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Inspector Dowlyn
Bartholomew
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ASP. Raymond Charles
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ASP Ransford Halley
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ASP. Dunbar Belfon
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