Dominica Defense Force

The Dominica Defense Forces (DDF) was the military of the Commonwealth of Dominica. There has been no standing army in Dominica since 1981, following the disbandment of the defence forces after two violent coup attempts against Dame Eugenia Charles.^[1] Defense is the responsibility of the Regional Security System (RSS).

The Dominica Coast Guard Patrol Boat Lugay in 2016.

History

By the 1960s, the police were the only security force in the country. As a result, a Volunteer Defence Force was established in 1974. In November 1975, a full-time Defence Force was established by an act of the House of Assembly to replace the Volunteer Defence Force, headed by Patrick John as Minister of Security. In March 1981, Charles announced the discovery of a coup d'état attempt known as Operation Red Dog, which involved Major Frederick Newton, the head of the Defence Force. A month later, parliament disbanded the Defence Force.^[2]

Modern defense

The civil Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force includes a Special Service Unit^[3] and Coast Guard. In the event of war or other emergency, if proclaimed by the authorities, the Police Force shall be a military force which may be employed for State defence (Police Act, Chapter 14:01).^[4]

References

1. Overview. 26 countries without armies, ARPED
2. "Dominica Defence Force". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
3. "Special Service Unit - Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica". Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
4. cited literally from The Caribbean: Defence and Security in the Anglophone Caribbean — The Roads to Cooperation. in A Comparative Atlas of Defence in Latin America and Caribbean, 2010 Edition, table Defence Force’s Mission, p. 113 (pp. 113-128, pdf p. 1)