The judiciary is independent. The 750-member Royal Grenada Police Force is responsible for maintaining law and order. It is controlled by and responsive to civilian authorities. Grenada has a free market economy based upon agriculture and tourism. The estimated real economic growth rate was 4.65 percent in 1997, and the projected annual growth rate for 1998 was 4.78 percent.
Citizens enjoy a wide range of civil and political rights.
Human rights problems include an allegation of police brutality during arrest, which has not been confirmed judicially. The Commissioner of Police has spoken out strongly against police use of unlawful force. Violence against women is common but appears to be on the decline. Child abuse is a problem. There were no reports of political or other extrajudicial killings.