Home Affairs Minister Jeremiah Norbert has called on members of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) to ensure that politics does not interfere with their duties.
Norbert was responding to reports of police officers getting actively involved in partisan politics.
Addressing Monday’s regular pre-cabinet press briefing, the former police officer noted that members of the RSLPF take an oath to protect and serve.
Nevertheless, Micoud North MP said that police officers have a right to associate with a political party they choose.
However, he asserted that this should never interfere with the work they get paid to do.
“We see it happening. I mean, I don’t want to point out the particular examples, but we’ve seen it happening on numerous occasions where police officers, through different means, find ways to engage in the politics of the day,” Norbert told reporters.
He reiterated Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre’s stance, which has consistently emphasized the government’s refusal to interfere in police matters to ensure the RSLPF’s independence.
The Micoud North MP observed that Pierre’s position is to allow the police to do their job.
On the other hand, Norbert declared that there were examples of open interference under the former United Workers Party (UWP) administration.
“We heard comments that were really concerning as to how the police ran their affairs under the former administration,” he stated.
Norbert also said the police should not allow politics to prevent them from doing their work.
“So it doesn’t matter if it is the Saint Lucia Labour Party or the United Workers Party in government. They (the police) are getting a salary. They are paid to do a job, and that job is to protect and serve,” the former law enforcement officer stated.
In this regard, Norbert declared that the mission to protect and serve should be at the forefront of the police agenda.
But he told reporters some police officers are more interested in politics than the politicians themselves.
Regarding action against those officers, Norbert observed that a disciplinary committee exists to deal with such matters.
“I cannot tell them how to do their work or who to bring in and question,” he told reporters.
How about politicians not involve in police matters? Investigations. Arrests. Etc
Norbert Urges Cops Not To Let Politics Interfere With Their Duties.. for anyone one lucia to believe that statement they ain born yet. When politicians stop giving their yes man appointment then that’s just a start. When police start to change minister and political ranks without impunity they we making move otherwise hold your talks for kids
Sir, gassa stop and think of what you said at that press briefing, please.
Classic case of interference of the political directorate in the RSLPF is the COP in waiting.
This guy is out of his depth!!!! I absolutely LOATHE the way he talks. He is clueless and sounds very ill informed – ALL THE TIME
We need to be honest and stop defending the nail in hit on the and you guys making comments you are paid to do a job do it choopz that’s why we have so much crime in our small island.
In all fairness, who made this guy an expert on anything? He is very unconvincing and never seems confident. Maybe its just me
Wow. You mango back five year. You remember, not just your conversation, but your conduct. It a shame that you don’t want other to follow your footsteps.