Police from the Eastern Division of the Royal Grenada Police Force, recently feted and celebrated each other during their annual “staff party.” The men and women police officers came primarily from St. David’s, Birch Grove, Hermitage, and Grenville Police Stations. The officers all came out dressed up in their pretty Sunday’s best with fresh haircuts, fancy hairdos, tight shoes, dressed-to-kill, to celebrate their hard work as police officers. However, the choice outfits for the night were the bright smiles that they all wore. “We are working during Christmas, Carnival, Easter and all the major holidays,” said Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Gilleon Thomas. “While others are having fun, we are working. We take this time to wind down, have a little fun, have a little drink, do a little dancing, while we recognize officers for their hard work.” From all accounts, the night was a huge success. The drinks flowed, good music played, the vibes were just right. It seemed that everyone in attendance had a good time, including the invited guests. Few knew that the night also came with some prompt and circumstances and surprises, in the form of the recognition of officers and presentation of awards. ASP Thomas is the man in charge of the Grenville Police Station and oversees the stations of the Eastern Division. Thomas explained that after careful observations and analytics of the officers from the 4 station houses, ASP Thomas and his team came up with two outstanding “Officers of The Year,” pure coincidence that they both happen to be from the St. David’s station house. The Female officer of the year is Shevon (956) Henry, and the Male Officer of the Year is Vondell (879) Phillip. Other officers were recognized as well. Inspector Donald Gilbert. received a “Meritorious Service Award” surrounding work he did with “Operations” (police talk). Inspector Derek Panchoo also received a Meritorious Service Award for his work surrounding “administration.” Also recognized for her work was Police constable Kizzy 556 Simon, who received a Meritorious Award for decades of professional secretarial services. “It was a total surprise to me,” said 956 Henry, who enjoys her work, nowadays, assigned to the St. David’s Police Station. “I normally don’t attend these things,” 956 Henry added. “During the week leading up to the “staff party,” all the senior officers at the station kept encouraging me to attend.” 956 Henry said that after much prodding and convincing she decided to attend the staff party. Henry said that even up to the announcements they were able to keep the disguise, the suspense, then she heard her name. “It was until my name was announced, by ASP Thomas, did I know that I am the person he was referring to, reading all those fancy words, it was a pleasant surprise. I was shocked!” Officer of the year, Henry expressed. Officer Henry sees this acknowledgment as a real honor and testimony to her hard work and tribute to herself, to her family, to the department and to the citizens of this great country. “It’s a pleasant reward,” Henry stated. “This is a far cry from when I started in 2008 as a Woman Rural Constable, patrolling on the beach,” the single mother explained, smiling from ear to ear. Police work is not easy. In its simplest form, police work is complicated and can’t be taken lightly. Many within the department and some on the outside, look towards the big stations to house the best and the brightest. That is not always the case, ASP Thomas explained. Many of our best, brightest and hardest workers can be found in the less busy station houses. According to the ASP, Henry and Phillip are good examples of two smart and hard-working officers. Like a proud parent, with 31 years under his belt as a police officer, ASP Thomas is feeling very satisfied with the performance of the men and women who are within his charge as they continue to protect and serve the community as police officers in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Officer Thomas recognized that good policing requires input from the population they serve. He sees his success as tied to his ability to work with the community, across all demographics. He sees his success as his ability “to find solutions” to complicated situations in a timely manner and “knowing how to deal with people.” ASP Thomas emphasized that good policing “is not about arrests and force.” Thomas said that he is a big supporter of community policing and would like to see more of that style of policing occur across all station houses in Grenada. Thomas is a very smart police officer. “We have to work with the community,” said the superintendent and family man who is the father of three grown, well-educated and successful children.