Saint Kitts and Nevis maintains a structured security framework comprising both military and law enforcement agencies to ensure national defense, internal security, and public safety.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF)
Established in 1896 and restructured in 1997, the Saint Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) serves as the nation’s military body. Its primary responsibilities include internal security, maritime defense, disaster response, and participation in regional peacekeeping efforts.
Structure and Components
- St. Kitts and Nevis Regiment: This infantry unit is tasked with land-based operations and internal security missions.
- Coast Guard: Responsible for safeguarding the nation’s territorial waters, the Coast Guard conducts maritime patrols, enforces ecological regulations, and engages in anti-smuggling operations.
- Support and Services Platoon: Provides logistical and administrative support, including the Agricultural Corps, which contributes to national development initiatives.
- Reserve Corps: Comprises ‘B’ Company (reserve infantry), Coast Guard reserves, the Defence Force Band, and the Cadet Corps, which includes approximately 150 cadets from various secondary schools.
Leadership and Personnel
- Commander-in-Chief: Governor-General Dame Marcella Liburd, representing King Charles III.
- Minister of National Security: Prime Minister Terrance Drew.
- Defence Force Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Anthony J. Comrie.
- Headquarters: Camp Springfield, Basseterre.
- Active Personnel: Approximately 300 regular members, supplemented by reserve forces.
Equipment and Capabilities
The SKNDF is equipped with a range of military hardware, including:
- Armored Vehicles: Daimler Ferret FV-702 4×4 Armored Reconnaissance Vehicles.
- Small Arms: M16A2/A3/A4 rifles, FN FAL rifles, Sterling submachine guns, FN MAG light machine guns.
- Artillery: L16A1 81mm mortars.
- Naval Assets: A fleet of patrol vessels, including an offshore patrol boat donated by the United States
For more information, visit the official
Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF)
The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) is the primary law enforcement agency, established on January 1, 1960. It is responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing and detecting crime, and ensuring public safety across the federation.
Organizational Structure
- Commissioner of Police: Mr. James Sutton, appointed in 2023, brings over 30 years of law enforcement experience.
- Divisions and Units:
- Special Services Unit (SSU): Handles high-risk operations and tactical responses.
- Criminal Investigation Department (CID): Conducts in-depth investigations into serious crimes.
- Traffic Department: Manages road safety and traffic regulations.
- Criminal Records Office (CRO): Maintains criminal records and background checks.
- Police Stations: Strategically located across both islands, including stations in Basseterre, Charlestown, Gingerland, New Castle, Cotton Ground, and others.
Community Engagement and Modernization
The RSCNPF has been enhancing its operations through increased community engagement, modernization of facilities, and the implementation of advanced policing strategies to effectively address crime and foster public trust.
For more details, visit the official
Regional Security Collaboration
Saint Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Regional Security System (RSS), a collective defense agreement among Eastern Caribbean states. The RSS facilitates mutual assistance in areas such as disaster response, maritime security, and combating transnational crime, thereby enhancing the nation’s security capabilities through regional cooperation
