Lyndon Oliver named SVG’s top police officer by public vote 

By S.Browne. Updated 11:15 a.m., Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Lyndon Oliver has been recognised as St Vincent and the Grenadines’ most outstanding police officer after members of the public overwhelmingly selected him for a newly presented Public Choice Award.

The award was presented to Oliver during a ceremony at Police Headquarters on Monday, following a public appeal by journalist, youth ambassador and content creator Kenville Horne for people to identify their favourite or best police officer, whether active or retired.

Oliver emerged as the clear choice, with members of the public citing his professionalism, fairness, respect for others and willingness to go beyond his official duties to assist people, particularly young people.

Horne said the initiative was intended to highlight police officers whose service and integrity can sometimes go unrecognised.

“Recently, I asked members of the public to name their favourite or best police officer. I did not tell people who to choose. I did not tell them what to say. I simply asked the people to speak. And the people spoke,” Horne said.

“Your name, Officer Oliver, came up again and again.”

Horne, who became the first Vincentian recipient of the Queen’s Young Leaders Award in 2015 for community development and youth activism, as well as the first Vincentian recipient of the Commonwealth Points of Light Award, said he was particularly pleased to present the recognition.

He noted that police officers often attract public attention when there are complaints, controversies or incidents, while those who consistently perform their duties professionally may receive less recognition.

According to Horne, members of the public described Oliver as upright, fair, respectful and professional, with an ability to treat people with dignity.

He said the public’s continued recollection of Oliver after more than three decades of service was particularly meaningful.

“When ordinary people take the time to remember an officer after 31 years of service, that tells us something powerful. It tells us that your uniform may be what people saw, but your character is what they remembered,” Horne said.

Horne also used the presentation to recognise other police officers who serve without public accolades.

“There are officers who go to work every day and never make the headlines. There are officers who settle disputes, comfort victims, help young people, protect families, respond to emergencies and serve their communities without ever receiving a plaque or a standing ovation,” he said.

He encouraged such officers to remember that their work is seen and appreciated.

Turning to Oliver, Horne said public respect represented a particularly meaningful form of recognition.

“Medals can be presented by institutions, certificates can be signed by authorities, and titles can be given by organisations. But respect from the people is earned. And clearly, Officer Oliver, you have earned yours,” he said.

Oliver, who appeared surprised by the presentation, expressed gratitude to the public for selecting him.

“I want to thank the public for overwhelmingly choosing me. It was a surprise, but I do my best. I thrive on serving people, and from day one, that is what I love doing, and I continue to do over the years, and I will continue to do,” Oliver said.

“So thanks to the people, and thanks to everyone. Thank you.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police Hesran Ballantyne also contributed to the surprise presentation, arranging for Oliver to come to his office under the pretext of a meeting before Horne arrived with the award.

Ballantyne described Oliver as one of the Police Force’s “most hardworking officers” and said the public recognition could encourage other officers to remain loyal, fair and hardworking.

He noted that Oliver had recently completed 31 years in the Police Force and said the organisation had also acknowledged the milestone internally.

Ballantyne welcomed the Public Choice Award as an additional recognition of Oliver’s contribution.

“Oftentimes, the police are seen for just arresting and taking people possibly to court. But, of course, there is much more that we do for the public,” he said.

He pointed to the administrative and community-facing work undertaken by police officers, including assisting members of the public with various services and initiatives.

Ballantyne also urged officers to maintain professionalism in their interactions with the public.

For Oliver, however, the recognition came not from within the organisation but from the people he has spent more than three decades serving.

Horne ended the presentation by urging Oliver to take pride in the recognition and the impact of his service.

“Whenever you look at this recognition, I hope you remember one thing: The people were watching. The people remembered. And the people said, ‘Lyndon Oliver deserves to be recognised,’” Horne said.

END