Carib Scope

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  • DOMDA hosts ‘Sip N Chat’ to promote healthy lifestyle choices among youth

    DOMDA hosts ‘Sip N Chat’ to promote healthy lifestyle choices among youth

    As non-communicable lifestyle diseases continue to pose growing public health challenges across the Caribbean, the Dominica Diabetes Association (DOMDA) is launching a targeted community outreach event to shift health behaviors among the island’s younger generations. On Monday, the organization will open the doors of Roseau’s The Realm venue for its first “Sip N Chat,” an interactive gathering designed specifically to encourage Dominican youth to adopt healthier eating patterns and intentional, positive lifestyle choices from an early age.

    Unlike traditional public health lectures that can feel rigid or disconnected from young people’s daily lives, DOMDA designed the “Sip N Chat” to be a relaxed, conversational space. The core mission of the initiative goes beyond sharing basic health information: organizers aim to shift long-held cultural attitudes around youth wellness, and build widespread understanding of how early health decisions shape long-term quality of life. DOMDA leadership frames this focus on youth as a deliberate investment in Dominica’s future, arguing that empowering young people to prioritize their health today will create stronger, more resilient communities for decades to come.

    Members of DOMDA’s executive board have personally dedicated time and resources to bring the event to life, prioritizing accessibility and open dialogue between health advocates and young attendees. The event is open exclusively to people aged 16 to 35, a demographic that public health data shows is increasingly at risk of developing preventable lifestyle-related conditions like type 2 diabetes when unhealthy habits form early.

    To remove barriers to attendance, DOMDA has streamlined ticketing options for the EC$25 entry fee: tickets can be purchased in advance online through the 767 Events platform under the “Sip N Chat” listing, or bought in person on the day of the event at DOMDA’s headquarters located at 30 McIntyre Lane in Goodwill. The gathering will run from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM, giving attendees plenty of time to ask questions, connect with peers, and walk away with actionable tools to improve their daily wellness.

    DOMDA is actively calling on parents to support the initiative by covering the admission cost for their children and encouraging eligible youth to take part. The association emphasizes that “Sip N Chat” is more than a one-time event: it is a launching pad for sustained positive lifestyle change, and an opportunity for young Dominicans to invest in their long-term health. Organizers are urging all qualifying young people and their families not to miss this accessible, engaging chance to prioritize personal well-being.

  • Regering wil loadshedding uitbannen en schakelt verder over op gas en zonne-energie

    Regering wil loadshedding uitbannen en schakelt verder over op gas en zonne-energie

    Suriname is pushing forward with an ambitious energy sector overhaul, aiming to eliminate rolling blackouts (known locally as loadshedding) and shift its national power grid away from heavy fuel oil dependence toward cleaner natural gas and solar energy. This strategic roadmap was laid out by President Jennifer Simons in her 2027 annual address to the nation.

    The plan centers on targeted new investments in the energy sector that will address long-standing, widespread power outages that have disrupted daily life and economic activity across the country. Beyond solving current infrastructure gaps, the investments are designed to prepare Suriname for a projected rise in electricity demand as the nation’s economy and population grow in the coming years.

    According to President Simons’ address, the national Electricity Sector Plan has already received formal approval from the Surinamese government. The year 2027 will mark a major ramp-up of implementation efforts, advancing the country’s overarching goal of delivering reliable, affordable electricity to all citizens by 2030, dubbed the “Energy for All by 2030” initiative.

    A key milestone on the 2027 timeline is the launch of the BIO-SWEET project, scheduled to begin mid-year. This multi-purpose infrastructure project will extend both electricity access and clean drinking water to 26 underserved communities across Suriname. It also includes provisions to expand the national power transmission grid into the largely undeveloped eastern region of the country, opening new opportunities for economic growth in that area.

    In her address, the president highlighted that progress toward the clean energy transition is already well underway. Over recent years, the government has expanded renewable power generation capacity through the addition of three new utility-scale solar power plants. It has also completed critical upgrades to existing power distribution networks to reduce transmission loss and improve reliability, and launched pilot projects testing small-scale mini-hydropower systems for rural communities.

  • UWI adopts AI tool amid fears of false accusations

    UWI adopts AI tool amid fears of false accusations

    As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into student academic work, higher education institutions across the globe are grappling with how to uphold academic integrity while adapting to the new technological landscape. The University of the West Indies (UWI) has taken a notable step forward this academic year by rolling out a new AI-powered academic integrity tool, developed in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), to tackle growing concerns around unauthorized AI use in student assignments. The tool, named IntegraGuard, is being rolled out across all UWI campuses as part of the institution’s broader strategy to address AI-related academic misconduct. Unlike many competing integrity platforms that focus exclusively on catching rule-breakers, UWI’s leadership emphasizes that the new system forms just one part of a multi-faceted approach that balances enforcement with embracing AI as a learning tool.

    Clive Landis, principal of UWI’s Cave Hill campus, explained that the university has already adopted a formal AI policy that prioritizes building AI literacy among its student body, rather than banning the technology entirely. “Our policy doesn’t bar students from using AI at all,” Landis shared in an interview with Barbados TODAY. “We want our graduates to be skilled and confident in using these tools, because AI literacy is already a critical competency for the modern workforce.”

    Even as the university encourages responsible AI use, Landis stressed that protecting the value and credibility of UWI degrees remains a top priority. To that end, IntegraGuard is paired with a range of traditional and alternative assessment methods, including in-person examinations, oral presentations, and one-on-one student interviews, to cross-check any potential flags raised by the software. “We’re in the middle of an arms race when it comes to AI misuse, so we need the most advanced tools to keep up,” Landis noted. “But we don’t rely on software alone: our robust, multi-layered assessment framework is what really upholds our academic standards.”

    What sets IntegraGuard apart from other tools, Landis added, is its unique focus on rewarding originality rather than just punishing misconduct. A core feature of the platform, called Origin, evaluates student work in real time as it is being created. If the system determines that a piece of work is entirely original, it issues a formal certificate confirming the student’s intellectual ownership of the content. “For example, if a student is composing an original poem, the tool can compare their work against every existing resource available today, and confirm that their work is one-of-a-kind,” Landis explained. “That certificate is a tangible recognition of their creativity and effort. Instead of only operating on the negative side of enforcement, we’re shifting to a positive model that celebrates original work.”

    Barbados’ Technology Minister Senator Jonathan Reid echoed UWI’s balanced approach, agreeing that safeguarding against plagiarism and misrepresented AI-generated work is a necessary step for higher education. “Plagiarism has always been a core concern for education systems, and that doesn’t change with AI,” Reid noted. “We have to stop people from passing off others’ work or unoriginal AI output as their own.”

    At the same time, Reid argued that the rise of AI presents a valuable opportunity for educators to rethink outdated models of teaching and assessment. Instead of fighting the technology, Reid said institutions should reimagine learning to leverage AI’s unique capabilities to deepen student understanding. “AI gives us tools we never had before to help students explore topics more deeply and work on more ambitious, dynamic projects,” he explained. “AI can help students create products and systems that carry real-world value that would have been impossible to build just a decade ago. I’m excited to see higher education move into this next stage of innovation, even as we protect the core integrity of our education system.”

    Not all technology experts share unreserved enthusiasm for the new initiative, however. IT consultant Steven Williams has warned that deploying AI to police student use of AI carries inherent risks, chief among them the threat of false positive results that wrongfully accuse students of cheating when their work is entirely original. “This is a double-edged sword,” Williams explained. “Everyone acknowledges that AI detection tools aren’t perfect, but what does that mean for the student who turns in an entirely original project, only to have the system incorrectly flag it as AI-generated?”

    Williams said he supports UWI’s goal of cracking down on students who blatantly use AI to avoid doing their own work, but he questioned whether the university has adequate safeguards in place to protect students who are wrongfully flagged. “We can’t allow institutions to disenfranchise hardworking students who have put in the effort to produce original, genuine work,” Williams emphasized. “That unfair punishment could have long-lasting consequences for a student’s academic record and their future, all because of an avoidable error in an imperfect algorithm.”

  • Local Content-wet moet in 2027 naar parlement

    Local Content-wet moet in 2027 naar parlement

    Suriname’s government is moving forward with a strategic legislative plan to lay a clear legal foundation for its emerging offshore oil and gas industry ahead of the expected start of commercial production in 2028, with a core focus on centering domestic workers and businesses in the new sector. Officials confirmed the draft Local Content Act will be submitted for debate and approval to the National Assembly by 2027, putting in place formal rules to guarantee local participation in the fast-growing oil economy.

    Preparatory work for the legislation is already well advanced: the Local Content Board has completed an initial draft of the bill, which will undergo further refinement following a national validation session bringing together key public and private stakeholders. Parallel to the drafting process, the board is also developing policy recommendations for the establishment of a dedicated Local Content Authority, a new regulatory body tasked with overseeing implementation of the new rules. When finalized, the legislation will be aligned with existing national frameworks including the Investment Law, Public Procurement Law, and Economic Zones Law to ensure regulatory consistency.

    In her annual address to the legislature, President Jennifer Simons outlined the two core principles guiding the government’s local content policy, emphasizing that the approach represents a deliberate break from the country’s past resource extraction experiences. “Unlike the bauxite era, we do not want oil and gas to only bring short-term capital to our country. We want it to leave behind lasting knowledge, technological capacity, and structural strength for our people,” Simons stated.

    The first core priority is securing employment and professional opportunities for Surinamese workers and experts at international energy firms operating in the country. Simons stressed that domestic professionals cannot be bypassed in favor of bringing in foreign expertise for roles that local talent is equipped to fill. The second priority is guaranteeing participation for Surinamese businesses in contracts and operations led by international investors, with mandatory requirements for knowledge and technology transfer to local partners.

    Rather than framing local content as a narrow policy focused only on reserving a share of jobs and contracts for domestic actors, the Surinamese government aims to reframe the policy as a pathway to long-term national development, transforming local participation into sustainable local knowledge, technological capability, and industrial skill. The overarching goal is to build enduring national expertise that will benefit Suriname long after the current wave of oil exploration and production begins, strengthening local craftsmanship and securing more inclusive, long-term prosperity for the country.

  • Life in Prison for Adults Who Commit Incest With Children Under New Law

    Life in Prison for Adults Who Commit Incest With Children Under New Law

    In a landmark move to strengthen protections for minors and vulnerable people, Antigua and Barbuda’s House of Representatives has approved a landmark overhaul of the country’s sexual offences legislation, introducing harsher penalties that include life imprisonment for adults convicted of incest against underage victims. Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin outlined the ambitious changes in the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2026 during a parliamentary sitting, framing the reform as a critical step in the government’s broader push to crack down on sexual violence, particularly offences targeting children. Under the newly approved provisions, any adult found guilty of incestuous abuse involving a person under 18 years old will be eligible for a maximum sentence of life behind bars. For incest offences committed between two consenting adults, the legislation raises the maximum penalty to 25 years of imprisonment, a significant increase from previous sentencing guidelines. Beyond incest, the bill also targets abuses of trust by adults in caregiving roles, addressing sexual relationships between adults and minors under their guardianship. The legislation explicitly covers a wide range of caregiving relationships, including biological parental roles, as well as those involving adopted children, stepchildren, foster children, godchildren, legal wards, and any other minor dependent on the adult. Many of these offences will also carry the possibility of life imprisonment under the new framework, matching the severe penalties applied to other child sexual abuse crimes. Sir Steadroy emphasized that the revised laws are designed to send a clear message that sexual exploitation of children and vulnerable people will not be tolerated in Antigua and Barbuda, aligning the country’s legal framework with international standards for child protection. The bill completed its passage through the lower chamber of parliament without any proposed amendments, moving forward as a unified bipartisan effort to address gaps in existing sexual offence legislation. Legal analysts note that the reform reflects growing regional momentum across the Caribbean to strengthen penalties for gender-based and child sexual violence, responding to sustained advocacy from child protection organizations that have called for stricter legal consequences for offenders. The changes mark one of the most significant updates to Antigua and Barbuda’s sexual offences legal regime in recent decades, prioritizing the safety and rights of minors and dependent people who are most at risk of abuse by trusted adults in their lives.

  • Regering geeft opdracht goudbedrijven te sluiten die regels overtreden

    Regering geeft opdracht goudbedrijven te sluiten die regels overtreden

    In a landmark address marking a turning point for environmental governance in the country, President Jennifer Simons has announced sweeping new enforcement measures that will see unregulated, non-compliant gold mining companies shuttered across the nation. The policy shift, unveiled September 30 during Simons’ 2027 annual address to the nation, comes in direct response to severe, long-running contamination of the ecologically and culturally vital Saramacca River, paired with years of insufficient enforcement of existing national environmental regulations.

    Simons made clear that the Saramacca River crisis must serve as a catalyst for systemic change, noting that the waterway is far more than an environmental asset for local communities: it is their primary source of drinking water, a key provider of food, and a core pillar of their centuries-old traditional way of life.

    To back up the new closure order, the national government has already issued formal instructions to the National Environmental Authority (NMA) and its supporting regulatory bodies to begin immediate implementation of the policy. Beyond closing rule-breaking operations, the administration plans to significantly strengthen the capacity of regulatory agencies tasked with overseeing the gold mining sector. President Simons emphasized that robust legislation alone cannot protect the nation’s natural resources if consistent oversight, inspection, and meaningful enforcement are not put into practice.

    Alongside stricter enforcement of existing environmental rules, the government is also pivoting toward fostering alternative, sustainable economic models that balance conservation and inclusive development. Key priority sectors identified for investment include eco-friendly sustainable tourism, regenerative agricultural practices, and other business models that deliver net positive benefits for natural ecosystems rather than degrading them.

  • Alleged cockpit stabbing incident behind a Flydubai flight emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, say reports

    Alleged cockpit stabbing incident behind a Flydubai flight emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, say reports

    On Wednesday, a routine commercial flight operated by low-cost carrier Flydubai, traveling from its hub in Dubai to Tel Aviv, was forced to divert to an airport in Saudi Arabia following a violent confrontation between the two pilots on board that left both crew members injured and triggered multiple emergency alerts, according to international aviation and law enforcement officials.

    The incident unfolded on Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 jet carrying an estimated 160 to 180 passengers, approximately two and a half hours after the aircraft departed Dubai International Airport. Publicly available flight tracking data captured an abrupt, sharp decline in the plane’s altitude, with the jet losing nearly 14,000 feet of elevation in under 30 seconds before the crew transmitted the first emergency signal to air traffic controllers.

    Multiple on-scene passenger accounts and early reports confirm that a physical altercation broke out inside the locked cockpit between the captain and first officer, with some witnesses describing one pilot as having sustained serious injuries in what has been alleged to be a stabbing attack. As the aircraft traveled through Jordanian airspace following the initial confrontation, a second emergency signal was sent out, this time warning of potential unlawful interference with the flight. After issuing that warning, the crew retransmitted a general emergency alert before altering their flight path to head toward Saudi Arabian airspace.

    After the diversion, the aircraft landed without further incident at Tabuk Airport at 9:45 a.m. local time, according to official airport logs. Local Saudi aviation authorities confirmed in an official statement that both the captain and co-pilot had suffered injuries in the altercation and were immediately transported to a local hospital for medical care. All passengers on board were provided with assistance and accommodations after landing, while Saudi law enforcement and aviation safety officials launched a full investigation into the incident, local Saudi publication Saudi Gazette reported.

    Initially, the transmission of emergency signals for unlawful interference sparked widespread fears that the flight had been hijacked, prompting Israeli government officials to immediately activate emergency protocols to respond to the developing crisis. Subsequent official updates, however, clarified that the emergency stemmed from an internal confrontation between the flight’s two pilots, not an external hijacking attempt by outside actors.

    Flydubai released an official confirmation shortly after the landing, verifying that the aircraft had touched down safely in Tabuk and that all passengers on board were unharmed and accounted for. The airline noted that it is collaborating fully with all relevant national and international authorities investigating the incident, and pledged to release additional public updates as more confirmed details emerge.

    International news agency Reuters has cited unnamed official sources indicating that the individual who initiated the altercation is of Omani heritage. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released an official statement claiming that one pilot deliberately stabbed the other with the explicit intent of crashing the aircraft. Netanyahu joined Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz in labeling the incident a deliberate terrorist attack.

    The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office added in a subsequent update that the situation is now fully under control, and that the government is working alongside Flydubai and Saudi officials to coordinate arrangements to transport all passengers bound for Tel Aviv to their original destination. As of Wednesday, the exact circumstances and full sequence of events leading up to the cockpit altercation remain under active investigation, with at least one major news outlet noting that conflicting accounts of the attacker’s motive have emerged in early reporting.

  • Jamaica : Training and exchange of experience in risk management

    Jamaica : Training and exchange of experience in risk management

    Against a backdrop of rising climate-driven natural hazard vulnerability across the Caribbean, a specialized delegation of Haitian government officials has concluded a five-day training and experience-sharing workshop focused on integrated disaster risk management, held in Kingston, Jamaica between September 21 and 25, 2026.

    The delegation, drawn from Haiti’s Ministry of the Environment (MdE) and Directorate General of Civil Protection (DGPC), joined Jamaican counterparts to collaborate on strategies to boost cross-national coordination and build more resilient responses to frequent extreme weather and geological events that threaten the region. The entire initiative was backed by technical expertise and financial backing from the Caribbean regional team of the U.S. Forest Service International Programs (USFS/IP), which has worked for decades to strengthen environmental and disaster management capacity across small island developing states in the region.

    Workshop discussions centered on a holistic, multi-hazard approach to risk management, covering core preparedness and response protocols for five of the most common and destructive hazards facing both nations: earthquakes, hurricanes, forest fires, floods, and landslides. Beyond technical response strategies, participants also examined existing inter-institutional coordination frameworks, identifying gaps and opportunities to speed up resource mobilization when crises strike, a critical priority for low-income and small island states that often face gaps in emergency resource access.

    A central priority of the training, aligned with the core mandate of Haiti’s Ministry of the Environment, was targeted capacity building for forest fire prevention and control. The region has seen a steady rise in the frequency and severity of wildfires in recent years, linked to rising temperatures and prolonged drought driven by climate change, making this capacity building a timely and high-impact outcome. During sessions, participants delved into key topics ranging from crisis leadership and standardized incident command systems to the science of fire behavior, early detection protocols, risk mapping, and predictive modeling tools that help emergency teams forecast fire spread and allocate resources more effectively.

    Hands-on practical simulations and structured working group sessions gave attendees the chance to test and evaluate command, communication, and coordination structures across multiple responding agencies, a key component of effective emergency response that often breaks down during large-scale crises. For the Haitian delegation, the workshop also provided a valuable opportunity to study Jamaica’s established national disaster management system, gaining firsthand insight into how local frameworks align with and leverage regional Caribbean emergency management mechanisms to boost response capacity.

    Moving forward, the knowledge and best practices gained from this exchange are set to inform ongoing efforts in Haiti to strengthen national disaster prevention and response capacity, with a specific focus on improving forest fire management. The lessons are also expected to help Haiti refine inter-agency coordination protocols, creating a more unified and effective emergency response system that can better protect vulnerable communities across the country.

  • Antiguan and Barbudan Chef Giovanni Meyer Selected for Top Chef Canada Season 13

    Antiguan and Barbudan Chef Giovanni Meyer Selected for Top Chef Canada Season 13

    A culinary talent with deep roots in Antigua and Barbuda has earned a coveted spot on one of North America’s most watched competitive cooking shows, drawing pride to the Caribbean nation and highlighting its fast-growing reputation as a global emerging culinary destination. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) has publicly congratulated private chef Giovanni Meyer, who will compete as one of just 12 contestants on the upcoming 13th season of *Top Chef Canada*.

    Meyer, who operates his own private dining brand called Pinch of Black Salt, has built a long-running collaborative partnership with ABTA’s Canadian office, where he has worked for years to introduce Canadian diners and food lovers to the unique ingredients, layered flavors, and centuries-old culinary traditions of Antigua and Barbuda. His work to showcase Caribbean cuisine through ABTA events ultimately gave him the confidence to pursue a spot on the national television competition.

    Tameka Wharton, ABTA’s Director of Tourism for Canada, emphasized the organization’s excitement for Meyer’s milestone. “We are incredibly proud to cheer Chef Gio on as he takes this next step in his culinary journey,” Wharton shared in a statement. “Over the years, we have had the pleasure of working with him to bring the authentic flavours of Antigua and Barbuda, along with his distinctive culinary vision, to our events in Canada. Seeing that talent now recognised on a national platform is a wonderful moment for Chef Gio and for Antigua and Barbuda.”

    Meyer’s history of partnering with ABTA includes two standout events in 2024 that solidified his connection to promoting his home country’s food culture. In March, he designed and curated an exclusive five-course tasting menu for ABTA’s “A Taste of Antigua and Barbuda” event, held for Canadian media and digital food content creators. Each dish drew direct inspiration from the history and iconic flavor profiles of the twin-island nation, giving attendees an immersive culinary experience. Just three months later, in June, he served as a mentor to 12-year-old junior chef Gigar Campbell, who represented Antigua and Barbuda at the Grace Junior Chef Challenge during Toronto’s Island Eats Food and Travel Festival. Under Meyer’s guidance, Campbell took home first place in the youth competition.

    For Meyer, the warm reception of his work at these ABTA-hosted events was the push he needed to apply for *Top Chef Canada*. “It was my participation in the culinary event that really inspired and encouraged me to enter Top Chef Canada,” Meyer explained. “The positive reception I received from all of the guests let me know that I have what it takes to put my culinary vision out there in a bigger way.”

    Meyer brings decades of elite training and industry experience to the *Top Chef Canada* competition. He began his culinary education at The Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI) before going on to train at the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America in the United States. His professional resume includes stints at iconic Antiguan properties Carlisle Bay Resort and Sheer Rocks, followed by roles at high-profile restaurants across North America: Michelin-starred A Voce in New York City, and two acclaimed Toronto establishments, Constantine and Byblos.

    Meyer’s national television debut comes as Antigua and Barbuda’s culinary scene is gaining growing international attention. The nation hosts an annual Culinary Month every May to highlight local chefs and native ingredients, and was recently named the Caribbean’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination for 2025 by the World Culinary Awards.

  • Dwayne Bailey to return from Prisons service to lead police operations

    Dwayne Bailey to return from Prisons service to lead police operations

    In a major reshuffle of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ security leadership amid a surge in violent crime, seasoned law enforcement veteran Dwayne Bailey will end his temporary tenure as acting head of the country’s Prisons Service and return to the national police force to lead core operational activities, National Security Minister St. Clair Leacock announced publicly on Monday during a radio interview.

    The reshuffle comes just two days after a deadly mass shooting in Green Hill, a Central Kingstown village that Leacock represents in Parliament, that left four people dead and four others wounded — an incident that has amplified public pressure on the government to crack down on violent crime across the island nation.

    Bailey, who boasts 28 years of frontline experience in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, emerged as one of the country’s most prominent crime-fighting leaders before his 2022 transfer to lead the national Prisons Service. He made history earlier this year in May, when he and his older brother, Trevor “Buju” Bailey, both received appointments to serve as acting deputy commissioners of police — a first for the SVG law enforcement community. Currently, Trevor Bailey is serving as acting head of the entire police force while incumbent commissioner Enville Williams takes several months of approved leave.

    Under the new leadership adjustment, Dwayne Bailey will take up a deputy commissioner post focused explicitly on overseeing all operational activity for the police force. Leacock confirmed the move during an interview on the *New Times* radio programme, explaining that the decision is explicitly designed to bolster the police service’s capacity to respond to the recent wave of violent crime that has shaken the country.

    “We’re going to bring back Dwayne from the Prisons in a deputy commissionership to head the operations aspect of the police force,” Leacock stated, noting that Bailey will be tasked with leading proactive operational deployments to target criminal activity wherever it emerges. The minister framed the change as a core component of a broader government push to upgrade the police force’s overall operational effectiveness amid rising violence.

    To support Bailey’s new operational command, the government is backing the team with specialized personnel drawn from elite units including the Major Crime Unit, Rapid Response Unit and Special Services Unit. Leacock also announced that traffic enforcement specialists have been consolidated into a single integrated unit to enable faster response to emerging hotspots of unrest or criminal activity.

    The government is also working to expand the police force’s capabilities to pursue suspects across challenging, hard-to-access terrain, Leacock added. He noted that some officers have advanced training in tactical infantry-style operations, and pointed out that the Special Services Unit has been structured to operate with a more military-oriented skill set — a capability that Leacock says is urgently needed to address current security threats.

    Bailey’s return to the police force is just one part of a wider suite of reforms and changes to SVG’s policing sector that Leacock outlined. Other changes include the addition of more than 120 new recruits, expanded specialized training programs for serving officers, and a new round of promotions to fill leadership gaps. Before his 2022 transfer to the Prisons Service, Bailey himself led one of the tactical squads within the Rapid Response Unit, giving him deep firsthand experience in the operational work he will now oversee.

    The overarching goal of all these adjustments, Leacock emphasized, is to build a more professional police force with stronger, more experienced leadership and a much faster, more effective response capability to protect public safety across the country.