Deputy Prime Minister St Clair Leacock has announced a major promotion within the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, confirming that Brenton Smith will be elevated directly to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).
Speaking during an interview on NBC Radio, Leacock said Smith will bypass the ranks of Inspector, Assistant Superintendent (ASP), and Superintendent as part of what he described as a strategic move aimed at strengthening the force’s human resource development.
Leacock said the decision was based on Smith’s experience and long-standing involvement in areas connected to police welfare and personnel management.
Smith is expected to take charge of the police force’s human resource development department, where he will oversee performance evaluations, officer training, recruitment, staff development, and manpower planning.
According to Leacock, the appointment forms part of broader efforts to modernize and streamline the operations of the police force.
The Deputy Prime Minister also pointed to longstanding concerns surrounding promotions within the organization, saying the system has historically lacked fairness and transparency.
He criticized what he described as situations where some officers remain at the rank of constable for decades while others advance rapidly through the system.
Leacock said Smith has been specifically tasked with helping to correct those imbalances and strengthen a more merit-based promotional structure within the force.
The announcement is expected to generate discussion both within the police service and among the wider public, given the scale of the promotion and the responsibilities attached to Smith’s new role.
