COMMENTARY: Remembering the rural constables

Rural constables (called Conestabs in patois) were simple men who hailed from the hills and valleys of Dominica and were essential law enforcement volunteers in the rural areas. They were not formally trained in law enforcement nor did they enjoy the same powers as their police counterparts but their commitment, integrity and their sense of duty and mission were hardly questioned. They played a vital and important role in the maintenance of law and order and in the deterrent of crimes in their rural districts.

The Rural Constabulary Force provided most of the advantages a police presence brought to a community and was a vital link between the regular police and the residents of the rural districts and villages as the eyes and ears of the police. Conestabs executed court warrants, delivered summons, were assigned to apprehend offenders who did not show up for their court hearings and substituted for the police while they were away from the villages and districts.

According to former Police Commissioner Matthias Lestrade who hails from La Plaine and joined the force in 1968 and retired after 41 years of service, “The Rural constables were very loyal men who provided a genuinely better service to rural people. They boosted rural folks confidence that the police really cared and dealt with issues that mattered to them. They promoted and delivered safety and crime prevention advice and their reassuring presence and sense of duty and dedication increased their communities’ sense of well-being and protection.

According to another Police Commissioner, (the late) O. N. Phillip, who served the force from 1946 to 1981 and was interviewed for this article before his death, ‘Rural constables were selected from the ranks of police sympathizers and supporters in the villages by the Districts’ Police Station Commanders. Their final confirmation was the task of the island’s police chief or the magistrates who held court in the districts. The conestabs were chosen based on the need for further police assistance and the candidate’s criminal record and standing in the community. In the later years (50s), the conestabs were issued ‘hand me down’ uniforms that were khaki pants and shorts, black police cap and a whistle and a baton.

Conestabs were often ridiculed and laughed at for their inabilities to make formal written reports and to present evidence in court in a professional and convincing manner due to their illiteracy and deficient English speaking and writing skills. Nonetheless, they went about their auxiliary police assignments with determination, honour, pride and purpose.

According to Commissioner Phillip, “Consestabs made very few arrests due to the reality that in these remote areas there were no police stations or jails. As a result, the conestabs became very skilled mediators of disputes and conflicts. They practiced a highly effective, efficient and successful form of community policing due to the fact that they were part of the communities and were well versed with local concerns, families and dynamics of their communities’.

The Rural Constables implemented solutions which had serious impact on the lives of the majority of people who lived in the countryside. Both former Commissioners pointed out that the Rural constables conducted joint night and day patrols with the regular police due to the fact that the conestabs knew the lay of the land, families and provided critical and timely intelligence to the patrols.

The conestabs received very little or no pay and often times they crossed the lines on proper conduct. On one occasion in the late sixties I overheard a conversation that my grandfather had with the Conestab in La Plaine, Mr. Ballot Rodney after he was accused of abusing his limited powers. Conestab Bellot told Papa in an arrogant manner (in patois), “Moshe Allan, I am serving the Queen (Elizabeth) and defending the (British) crown and this is an honour to me and Jean Lapline should appreciate my sacrifices”. During his early evening strolls through the village, Bellot walked would walk in a manner and style that exuded a great deal of over confidence and high importance. It was hard to dismiss or ignore him for he was’ in charge’ and it was acknowledged by all.

The conestabs’ served in relatively peaceful times and went about their duties largely unchallenged. As the 70s approached and Dominican society and policing became more complex, the types, frequency and nature of crimes and criminal activity increased. The police department became more political and the manner of policing and the relationships between the police and communities became more antagonistic. It should be mentioned that the Dominica (Royal) Police Force was not as near politicized as it today.

This signaled the end the Rural Constabulary Force because the conestabs did not understand, identify nor had the capacity or knowledge to deal with the inner workings of the modern politics of the noble task of law enforcement. As the 70s ebbed away, the conestabs’ grew older and their contributions were no longer respected and needed. Also the majority of the island had mortorable roads and more modern day police stations were being constructed and equipped with vehicles and up to date-to-date technological communications.

The conestabs in their simplicity understood their roles, responsibilities and challenges that were involved in being custodians of the law with very little distractions and ambiguities such as involvement in party politics. But local politics was less pronounced back then as Dominica was an agrarian based colony at that time. Some may argue that maybe it was the golden age in law enforcement when these old timers played vital roles in serving and protecting rural Dominicans.

The success of the Rural Constabulary Force was very much the product of the efforts of each conestab and the police working in close collaborative partnerships with the communities. But modern policing would well be advised to borrow a page from these old timers brand of community policing. Today’s police should understand that when they level their assault rifles at unarmed protestors and citizens, they create animosity, lose supporters, respect and public trust.

In a profound way the Rural constables were very instrumental in maintaining law and order and preserving the quality of life in Dominica’s rural farming communities.
These giants and knights of law enforcement on our island epitomized integrity, commitment, duty, purpose and consequently have left a rich and cherished legacy. It is not too late to give a final salute (which they never got during their lifetimes) and say thanks for a job well done. History bears witness to this fact.