Special Services Unit (Grenada)

{{Infobox military unit

| unit_name = Special Services Unit

| image =

| caption =

| start_date = {{start date and age|1985|04|01|df=y}}

| country = {{flag|Grenada}}

| allegiance = Charles III, King of Grenada

| branch =

| type = Paramilitary
Defence force

| role = Light infantry

| size = 80 men{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/grenada/150745.htm|title=Grenada|access-date=25 April 2025|work=US Department of State}}

| command_structure = Royal Grenada Police Force

| current_commander =

| garrison = Camp Raymond

| commander1 = Dame Cécile La Grenade

| commander1_label = Governor-General

| commander2 = Dickon Mitchell

| commander2_label = Minister of National Security

| commander3 = Randy Connaught

| commander3_label = Commissioner of Police

| commander4 = Kenny Stanisclaus

| commander4_label = Commander

| ceremonial_chief =

| ceremonial_chief_label =

| colonel_of_the_regiment =

| nickname =

| motto = Dedicated to Serve and Protect with Dignity and Confidence

| colors =

| colors_label =

| march =

| mascot =

| battles =

| notable_commanders =

| anniversaries =

| identification_symbol =

| identification_symbol_label =

}}

The Special Services Unit (SSU) is the paramilitary unit of the Royal Grenada Police Force responsible for national defence. It was formed in 1985, following the United States invasion of Grenada as a replacement for the disbanded People's Revolutionary Army. The unit is primarily equipped with M-16 rifles and M4 carbines.{{cite web|url=https://nowgrenada.com/2018/08/united-states-military-special-operations-forces-exchange-with-rgpf-special-services-unit/|title=United States Military Special Operations Forces exchange with RGPF Special Services Unit|access-date=25 April 2025|work=NOW Grenada}}

Mission

The SSU has a number of roles - primarily it is responsible for maintaining the internal security of Grenada, which is linked to providing assistance to the regular police in maintaining law and order. It is also responsible for national emergency response. Other responsibilities consist of providing the Grenadian contingent to peacekeeping and support missions in the Eastern Caribbean via the Regional Security System.{{cite web|url=https://www.rgpf.gd/index.php/departments/special-services-unit-ssu|title=Special Services Unit SSU|access-date=25 April 2025|work=Royal Grenada Police Force}}

The Special Services Unit also provides training for the Grenada Cadet Corps.

History

Following the United States invasion of Grenada in 1983, the People's Revolutionary Army, Grenada's military during the 1979-1983 rule of the People's Revolutionary Government, was dissolved. With the dissolution of the military, defence became the responsibility of the police. The Special Services Unit was established as part of the police in April 1985 to replace the army, being provided with American training and weapons.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/01/03/world/gi-s-on-grenada-whip-a-police-unit-into-shape.html|title=G.I.s on Grenada whip a police unit into shape|access-date=25 April 2025|work=New York Times}}

Organisation

The SSU is under the command of a Police Inspector, who answers to the Commissioner of Police of the Royal Grenada Police Force.

References

{{reflist}}

{{Royal Grenada Police Force}}

Category:Law enforcement in Grenada

Category:Military of Grenada