Regional police chiefs urged to stay above politics, policy pressure

Law enforcement leaders across the Eastern Caribbean have been put on notice: no matter how much politics encroaches on policing, professional standards must not slip.

Commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force, Randy Connaught, on Thursday urged colleagues to remain grounded in professional policing standards as they navigate increasingly complex issues such as immigration and cannabis use within their ranks.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the Regional Security System’s International Leadership and Management course, held in collaboration with the United Kingdom’s Durham Constabulary, he cautioned graduates that modern policing is expanding beyond traditional crime-fighting roles, placing officers at the centre of sensitive national and regional policy decisions.

“Consider the matter of accepting third party refugees at the request of the United States,” Connaught said, noting that such matters fall “at the intersection of national security, public order, and international relations”.

“You must lay out the implications, the strain on your investigative and intelligence resources, the need for border security coordination, the risk of unvetted arrivals and the potential for social tension within your communities,” he said.

Commissioner Connaught emphasised that police executives are “not there to decide national policy” but are “constitutionally bound to ensure that any such decision is made with a full understanding of the policing consequences.” He added: “Your advice may be the difference between a politically expedient decision and a sustainable, safe outcome.”

Turning to the issue of cannabis use, Connaught pointed to the ongoing debates across the region as some countries move toward decriminalisation or legalisation, while security forces continue to enforce strict internal policies.

“Some national laws have decriminalised cannabis, while our regional security services have historically maintained a zero tolerance stance,” he said, acknowledging questions about whether officers should be treated differently from civilians.

But he insisted that the unique responsibilities of law enforcement demand higher standards.

“You must explain that operational effectiveness, safety, and public trust require you to deliver at a much higher level,” Connaught said. “A security force member impaired by any substance undermines the integrity of the institution and endangers his colleagues and the public.”

Maintaining zero tolerance policies is not about resisting social change, but about preserving discipline and reliability within the ranks, he argued.

Beyond policy issues, Connaught also warned senior officers against becoming politically aligned, describing it as a major professional risk: “Do not be a yes person, be a trusted strategic advisor…and not a political actor.”

He reminded participants that while administrations change, policing institutions must remain constant and impartial.

“Politicians come and politicians go, but the police service is an enduring institution,” Connaught said. “Your loyalty is not to the individual in the ministerial office, but to the office itself, to the law, and to the people you serve.”

The course, aimed at strengthening leadership capacity within regional security forces, brought together officers from across the Caribbean to sharpen their strategic and management skills in an evolving security landscape.

(SB)