Leward Islands Police Force pouch badge

The Leeward Islands Police Force was a colonial police force that served the Leeward Islands—a group of islands in the eastern Caribbean that were part of the British Empire. The Leeward Islands included territories like:

• Antigua

• Barbuda

• Montserrat

• Saint Kitts

• Nevis

• Anguilla

• The British Virgin Islands

• Dominica (before it was transferred to the Windward Islands)

Key Facts:

• Timeframe: The Leeward Islands Police Force operated mainly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, until the gradual dissolution of the Federal Colony of the Leeward Islands, which was officially abolished in 1956.

• Structure: The police force was centrally administered but had divisions or detachments on each island. The force was overseen by a Colonial Commissioner or Inspector-General, and officers were often rotated among the islands.

• Role: Like other colonial forces, their duties included:

  • Maintaining public order

  • Enforcing colonial laws

  • Protecting colonial interests and infrastructure

  • Assisting in tax collection and administration

• Legacy: After the break-up of the federal colony, the islands began forming their own local police forces. For instance:

  • Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force

  • Royal Montserrat Police Service

  • Royal Saint Christopher and Nevis Police Force

These modern forces inherited some practices and organizational structures from the old Leeward Islands Police Force.

Historical Context:

The Leeward Islands Police Force functioned during a period of intense colonial control, racial hierarchies, and limited political power for local populations. Most officers in the lower ranks were locals, while senior officers were often British. Over time, independence movements and decolonization led to changes in governance and law enforcement.

Would you like info on a specific island's police force today, or are you looking into this for a historical project?