This week, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre praised the police response to violent crime, especially recently, when he said when parts of the country appeared under siege by criminals.
Deadly gun violence in Vieux Fort South prompted the government to declare it an escalated crime zone under new legislation granting extended powers to the police.
And the government invited Regional Security System (RSS) troops to assist local police in dealing with the violent crime spike.
Pierre, responsible for National Security, said he was satisfied with the police response.
“There was a degree of unity, there was a show of commitment when leave was postponed and all the men and women in the police force showed the reason why we could not allow our country to be run down by criminals,” the Castries East MP noted.
He spoke at a ceremony to hand over vehicles to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).
Pierre reiterated a promise to give the police all the resources Saint Lucia could afford.
And he recalled announcing in parliament that the government would spend $117 million next year on the police and other security agencies.
Pierre said the government had obtained a truck and motorcycles for the police, and another vehicle would be available during the weekend.
“So, in terms of mobility, I want no excuses,” he told this week’s ceremony.
Regarding technological support, Pierre disclosed that the police should get drones next month, and scanning equipment would be at the ports of entry.
In addition, the Prime Minister said the RSLPF would induct sixteen recruits in July, who would be ready for police work after their six-month training.
He also said the Major Crimes Unit would be enhanced, and he would request another cohort of officers from the RSS for at least another three weeks.
But Pierre reiterated that he would not get involved in police operations.
He said his job was to determine the resources the police need and speak on policy.
In addition, Pierre revealed that other things are in the works.
“We want to look at the Police Act. We want to look at compensation for policemen who haven’t reached what is called the benchmark qualifications. So we are going to make a concerted effort to bring the police force up to scratch,” he declared.
However, Pierre said it would be up to the police to commit themselves so criminals would not overrun the country.
“We would not allow Saint Lucia to be overrun by criminals of whatever form or shape,” he asserted.
One notch in his belt (come elections time, of course).
But what about the judiciary? What about the “criminal laws”? No word on how this is going to be handled. Too many “out on bail”. Our laws need to be revised so that the police and the public can be satisfied of their safety.
Hear hear !!!……..crickets the sounds of lovely crickets by his critiques chu.
So all Lucians seem to be safe, no more shots or gun violence. Everything there seems like Politicking. SMH. Oh country is not being overrun by criminals. Country is being run by criminals. Check your neighbours in the Cabinet.
Dem politicians red yellow green pink always rejoicing prematurely! Why can’t yol just work and let the results speak for themselves.
Ray Charles it is too early to praise the police for the work that they are getting paid to do and should be doing. These criminals are just buying their time, re-organising , monitoring police patrol patterns. This needs to be sustained over a protracted period, years not weeks. This needs to be done in such a manner that the police are always there in their face, even when they are on the toilet having a shit. Deny these bastards the space to operate , frustrate them to the point where they have noting to gain.
In the end they can say it isn’t worth it, too much heat from the cops.