The United Workers Party (UWP) has expressed outrage over reports of sexual harassment allegations against a named senior member of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), demanding that he step aside to facilitate a thorough independent investigation.
Former Minister Fortuna Belrose, flanked by female UWP supporters, told a news conference on Thursday that stepping aside removes any possibility of the officer influencing his subordinates.
“Saint Lucians must be satisfied that he possesses unflinching good character with the requisite competencies to perform optimally so that our citizens can feel safe and secure in his care,” Belrose said.
She said it was deeply troubling that the alleged perpetrator received a promotion without an investigation into the serious allegations against him.
“How can our women trust the police when they make a report of this nature?” Belrose asserted.
She applauded the women who came forward with their sexual harassment reports for their courage in a culture that tends to blame or shame victims.
And Belrose said the UWP calls on Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, responsible for National Security, to remove himself from that position.
In addition, she called out Home Affairs Minister Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, whom she described as a women’s advocate.
Albert-Poyotte is also a former trade unionist.
Belrose urged the Home Affairs Minister to urgently seek relevant advice to initiate an immediate investigation into the complaints put forward by the Police Welfare Association (PWA) on behalf of its members.
The PWA said it had written then-Police Commissioner Crusita Descartes-Pelius regarding the ‘sexual misconduct’ allegations but received no response.
The PWA’s June 5, 2023, letter, which went viral after appearing on social media, said three of four police officers interviewed confirmed the allegations, while one neither confirmed nor denied.
In addition, the letter indicated that two former Police Commissioners were aware of the sexual misconduct reports.
Fortuna Belrose told Thursday’s news conference that the Minister of Home Affairs, copied on the PWA letter, has to respond to the organisation’s concerns.
“To remain silent or not even acknowledge their concern is truly reprehensible,” Belrose said.
She noted that the Minister of Home Affairs is also the Minister of Gender Relations and Public Service, compounding the situation.
Belrose recalled that Saint Lucia enacted the Domestic Violence Bill on March 8, 2022, with pomp and ceremony.
And she told the news conference that the Prime Minister and the Home Affairs Minister made several pronouncements regarding citizen security, reassuring domestic violence victims that the government cared and systems would be in place to hear the aggrieved.
“It was therefore shameful and in poor taste to hear the Minister asking the victims to go to court in such a harsh tone as if to suggest they did something wrong,” Belrose stated.
Tell me something, is that new in the police force? Do you remember a former Deputy commissioner beat up his wife and force a woman constable to be with him?
Though I don’t encourage this and if the allegations of the female is true, two things should be done.
1. A formal report should be done at CID a
2. Send him on vacation to investigate.
By the way how long ago were these harassment made?
Why was this not reported.
The alleged victims in these cases should seek legal advice and may I recommend that the PWA provide the necessary funds or part of it. Also a report should be made at the Complaints Unit of the police. A call to step aside? To where? The UWP need to specify what action or actions they deemed appropriate. And also they should look in their own yellow party ranks and see what they come up with which they didn’t deal with. Most of the time persons make pronouncements on subjects they should not. It would be better to give advice to the victims or lend a helping hand and not dwell too much on the alleged perpetrator.
Is a fathom expecting an SLP Administration to seriously honour their words if it will make NOT look good.
Like protecting the Victory
The Administration has no intent to have conducted what it perceived to be against itself any investigation.
Maybe a good time to test the Special Prosecutor.
well i guess now you will know how we citizens feel when we make a report to the police and nothing is being done by them especially one of this nature
I support the Opposition stand that a thorough investigation should be conducted in the allegation and that the COP should step aside whilst the investigation is being carried out.
I support the Opposition stand that a thorough investigation should be carried out in the allegation and that the COP should step aside whilst the investigation is being carried out until the outcome of the investigation.
Merci madam you know ur stuff