Royal Grenada   

Police Force         

Clarior-e-Tenebris

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Fort_George_2.jpg (101187 bytes)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. Fort_george_3.jpg (28003 bytes) 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 Fort_george_4.jpg (73630 bytes) 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. Fort__George_1.jpg (108329 bytes) 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

Major A Cappel

1912-1920

Major D Herr

1920-1922

Major O Heidenstan

1923-1928

Major Turner

1928-1937

Major Arniston

1938-1947

Major Marden

1947-1950

Colonel Donald

1950-1951

Brigadier Pickthal

1951-1953

Major E M James

1953

Mr. J B G Austine

1953-1956

Mr. Mc Colgan

1956

 

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.

Major J H Holley

1956-1967

Mr. M C Roberts

1967-1968

Mr. Ivan Quarless

1968-1969

Mr. Stephen Bascombe

1969-1970

Mr. R King

1970-1971

Mr. Nugent David

1971

Mr. R L Barrow

1971-1973

Mr. Nugent David

1973-1974

Mr. Osbert James

1974-1975

Mr. J Usen

1975-1976

Mr. Osbert James

1976

Mr. Adonis Francis

1976

Mr. Osbert James

1976-1978

Mr. Anthony Bernard

1978

Mr. Osbert James

1978-1979

  During the Revolutionary period.

Mr. Raphael Stanislaus

1979

Mr. James Clarkson

1979-1981

Mr. A B Bernard

1981

Major Ian St. Bernard

1981

Major Patrick Mc Leish

1981-1983

 

 

 

Commissioners' of Police Post Revolutionary Period.

Mr. Mervyn Holder

1983-1985

Mr. Russel Toppin

1985-1987

Mr. Cosmus Raymond

1987

Col. G Mignon

1987

Mr. Cosmus Raymond

1987-1989

Mr. Samuel H Brookes

1989-1990

Lt. Col. Nestor Ogilvie

1990-1997

 

 

 

 

 

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. George’s 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.

Mr. Mc Darport

1910-1914

Inspector Wilson

1914-1918

Mr. Coard

1918-1932

Inspector De Coteau

1932-1970

Inspector Clarkson

1970-1972

Inspector Mitchell

1972-1984

ASP Ignatius Roberts

1984-2001

 

 

 

 

People’s 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. George’s. 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.

Supt. Joseph Robinson

 

Inspector Dowlyn Bartholomew

 

ASP. Raymond Charles

 

ASP Ransford Halley

 

ASP. Dunbar Belfon