Fitzroy Bedeau

Fitzroy F. A. Bedeau (29 August 1944 – 23 August 2019) was a politician and police officer from the island of Grenada, who served as commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force from 1998 until 2005. A native of the fishing town of Gouyave in Saint John Parish, he was also closely involved with the local fishing industry and was a supporter of sailing and boat racing.

Police career

Bedeau first enlisted in the police force in April 1967 and retired as an Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1988. He returned to the Royal Grenada Police Force in 1995 as Deputy Commissioner, and was subsequently promoted to head the force.

In September 2004, Bedeau oversaw the force's response to Hurricane Ivan, a Category 5 storm that devastated Grenada, causing at least 12 deaths. The hurricane destroyed much of the country's infrastructure, including police stations and the force's headquarters at Fort George, and a number of officers – among them senior ranks – left their posts to shelter and protect their own families, contributing to widespread looting of businesses and private property. Following this breakdown of command, Prime Minister and Minister for National Security Keith Mitchell asked Bedeau to resign; he stepped down some months later, in 2005, and was succeeded as Commissioner by Winston James. losing to Michael Church of the National Democratic Congress.

Death

Bedeau died on 23 August 2019, at the General Hospital in St. George's, following a period of illness.