Special Services Unit (Grenada)
The Special Services Unit 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.
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 PRA, being provided with American training and weapons. Some ex-PRA soldiers were recruited to serve in the SSU due to lack of available manpower to form it.In May 2024, concerns were raised on better utilising the SSU to combat crime in 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.The Special Services Unit also provides training for the Grenada Cadet Corps.