The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has commenced an investigation into the conduct of officers attached to the Police Academy based on information it has received.
Assistant Police Commissioner Dr. Mashama Sealy, who announced the probe, did not discuss the alleged conduct.
However, Sealy told a news conference on Wednesday morning that the RSLPF assigned a senior officer to investigate.
She disclosed that while the RSLPF awaits the results, it has implemented several measures to safeguard the Police Academy’s reputation as an institution of ‘excellence and professionalism’.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police announced that there would be increased visits by a senior officer attached to the training team, spending at least one day at the Academy.
Sealy explained that the visits would allow students and instructors to indicate whether they have serious issues.
She said the RSLPF would reintroduce a suggestion box where students could privately state complaints and recommend improvements.
In addition, a senior training team officer would sanction all activities at the Academy.
Sealy also told the news conference there would be a review of standing orders about the conduct of students and instructors to identify and tighten gaps.
She declared that the system works because the RSLPF has taken action on the information it received.
“We should not be afraid of investigations once we are following the rules. If an investigation takes place and we are doing what we are supposed to do, then we should not be afraid,” the senior cop asserted.
Sealy told the news conference that the RSLPF welcomed the probe, which would allow it to improve rules, procedures, and processes at the Police Academy.
PHOTO: Dr. Mashama Sealy (Far right) with other members of the RSLPF executive at Wednesday’s news conference.
The wrongs that go on at the police academy are not new, just ask the many former recruits. The following have been alleged:
1. Some instructors steal food items
2. Some instructors sleep with the recruits and this one go both ways. While the practice has been more prevalent with male instructors there is at least one former female instructor who has been accused of such.
3. Many recruits are verbally and physically abused in the name of training.
So it makes no sense these useless police try to hide what is now an open secret. What a corrupt organization.
These are serious allegations being made about officers attached the the academy and it should be equally worrying for society that such allegations are being made. In my opinion, the police investigating the police should not be encouraged because of the potential for lack of impartiality or rigour is getting down to the matter investigated. However, I do recognise that there are not many systems in place to have the investigation done by an independent body. Perhaps now is the moment for government to institute an organisation independent of the police but under the justice system to look into matters of the police. While the majority of the men and women of the force do a sterling job, there are a few who do not conform to higher standards. It would be a matter of public interest to know the outcome of this investigation and if charges are brought and who are the culprits involved. No one is above the law. If Saint Lucia wants to be a functional democracy, this much it must uphold.
Nothing to see here. Worst kept secret. IYKYK!
Everyone with male police friends have heard for years female recruits get trained as sketels in the acedemy
Police investigating police.
God help St. Lucia and all it’s agencies both government and NGOs – my my my – it is getting worst by the minute on every level.
The royal st Lucia police force cannot and should appoint any of its members to investigate any wrongdoings within the police service and therefore should quickly form a commission free from the police influence to investigate this matter and any investigation short of that will be considered a joke and nothing will ever come out of this
Now am not anti police nor pro police but this is what I say whatever the trying to get to the bottom of has been happening long before this la toc training school started now keep in mind I don’t know what it is because they haven’t disclose what it is but I know it’s nothing new