Dominican Defense Forces

The Dominican Defense Forces were the military of the Commonwealth of Dominica. By the 1960s the police were the only security force in the country, and 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 Dame Eugenia Charles announced the discovery of a coup attempt known as Operation Red Dog, which involved Major Frederick Newton, the head of the Defence Force, and a month later parliament disbanded the force. The disbandment followed two violent coup attempts against Charles. There has been no standing army in Dominica since 1981, and defense is the responsibility of the Regional Security System, while the civil police force includes a Special Service Unit and a Coast Guard.