Former Police Commissioner Vernon Francois has published his latest book ‘A View From The Room’, chronicling Saint Lucia’s response to and management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was the result of my involvement in the various government agencies that dealt with the pandemic. We had the Task Force, which became the Command Centre, and then the COVID Management Centre,” Francois told St Lucia Times.
The former top cop was a member of those agencies and played a role in their decision-making.
He disclosed that his publication presents his view of how Saint Lucia handled its battle with the COVID-19 virus.
The 226-page book, published in England, was released at the end of last March.
Francois explained that he is working on making the publication available at local outlets and doing book signings in various parts of Saint Lucia.
But he stated that currently, distribution is mostly through personal contact.
“For now, people interested in purchasing the book will have to contact me directly,” Francois said.
He told St Lucia Times that Saint Lucia had an interesting battle with COVID-19 which it knew little about at the inception of the pandemic.
And Francois recalled that the Island’s response included introducing mask-wearing, passing new legislation, recruiting COVID-19 wardens, and shutting down the country.
“I think it is important for Saint Lucia to know the real back story behind some of the decisions during the time,” Francois observed.
“It is a book for posterity,” he told St Lucia Times.
‘A View From The Room’ is the former Police Commissioner’s second physical publication.
He has also authored a digital Police Recruit Training Programme.
And in August 2018, Francois published ‘Restored Confidence’.
That book detailed his time in the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), the violent crime surge that affected the country when he became the top cop in 2010, and efforts to restore order.
Francois disclosed that the publication is still in demand.
“It is still current. Most of the things I spoke about in terms of the way we did policing in my time are still very relevant,” he told St Lucia Times.
Headline photo courtesy St. Lucia Star
Well done Mr Francois! It is truly amazing to see a former cop publish a book relating to a health matter. Having an open mind is always a good thing. It is a pity the article does not include how to contact you directly in order to obtain copies of the book.
I didn’t know he wrote a previous book. That one I will get. He saved the freaking place. It was heading to crap real, real, real fast.
Congrats in order Vernon. In my books you are a patriot!
The title of his book should have been EL LAPO my tenure in The RSLPF
I wonder why you moved to England after your tenure. Where are the other cops that embargoed in that operation. The past way of “solving” crime clearly was not the solution cause here we are now in a repeat.
That little report that has to be released is what this country is waiting on.