The Grenada Revolution Online

The Royal Grenada Police Force

Royal Grenada Police Officer
Reproduction of original artwork courtesy of
Grenadian Artist Lisa Herrera

Maintaining law and order, under the Royal Grenada Police Force [RGPF], dates back to 1853. The RGPF, in 1854, was quartered at Fort George.

Taking up the police service for the time period of this site (1970-1984), below is a chart of past Commissioners of Police during the time Head of Government was Eric Matthew Gairy.*

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

Below are the Commissioners of Police during the time Head of Government was Maurice Bishop.*

Mr. Raphael Stanislaus 1979
Mr. James Clarkson 1979-1981
Mr. A. B. Bernard 1981
Major Ian St. Bernard 1981
Major Patrick McLeish 1981-1983

Headquarters following the 13th Match 1979 governmental change, moved from Fort George [renamed by that time Fort Rupert] to Melville Street, St. George's on 24 May 1979. After the landing of US troops 25 October 1983, Police Headquarters returned to Fort George.

During the time of the People's Revolutionary Government [PRG], the police force was renamed the Grenada Police Service. The name reverted back to the Royal Grenada Police Force [RGPF] following 25 October 1983.

During the time of the PRG, according to Martin,

. . ."RGPF lost virtually all of its historical authority; and was relegated to the control of domestic crimes and traffic supervision. The People's Revolutionary Army and other forces within the PRAF maintained law and order . . .

According the RGPF site, "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 hierarchy of officers: Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Inspector, Cadet Officer, Sergeant, Corporal and Constable.

A recent former Commissioner of Police was Fitzroy Bedeau. Bedeau was with the RGPF during the time of the People's Revolutionary Government [PRG], as were many other officers, some of whom remained with the RGPF to this day.

On 24 March 2006, the current Commissioner of Police Winston James is to have retired the end of July 2008. He was promoted to position of Commissioner in February 2006. Winston James became a member of the RGPF in 1967.

The new Commissioner of Police, following the electoral victory of the National Democratic Party (NDC), is to be announced.

*Thanks to information provided by the Royal Grenada Police Force web site history page.

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*Link not working as of August 1, 2008 - the RGPF website is under construction - looking toward them retaining a 'history' page.

©2003-2008 by Ann Elizabeth Wilder. All Rights Reserved.

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