Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has expressed concern over infighting and lack of coordination in the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), declaring them a plague in the ‘very complex’ organisation.
Pierre’s comments came as the Island’s first female Commissioner of Police (CoP), Crusita Descartes-Pelius, prepared to demit office on Saturday.
However, at a news conference Wednesday, she declined to comment on whether she would accept a contract extension officer.
The Prime Minister disclosed that discussions are taking place regarding her successor, but he could not publicly say certain things.
“Anytime I speak to the police, I tell them there can only be one Commissioner of Police. There will never be two. There can only be one Prime Minister,” the National Security Minister stated.
Regarding officer misconduct once individuals enter the RSLPF, Pierre explained that the Commissioner could dismiss any officer from Constable to Inspector.
He said it was not difficult once the correct procedure was followed.
According to Pierre, there was a need for tough decision-making and for people to stand on principle.
“We must have the fortitude. We must have the sincerity of purpose to say when something is wrong, it is wrong and that’s the problem,” the PM observed.
“And that’s the problem. The decision-makers at all the levels in the public service don’t have the fortitude to take the decisions that they have to take because of other things that really don’t matter,” Pierre told What Makes Me Mad.
“Once you are doing what’s right and you are speaking the truth and this is how I live. What’s right and speak the truth,” the Castries East MP declared.
He said Crusita Descartes-Pelius had blazed the trail for women as the first female Police Commissioner.
“I had confidence in her. You may not believe that, but Commissioner Descartes, I agreed to her appointment based on her CV,” Pierre disclosed.
He said he had never met Descartes-Pelius before that.
STOCK PHOTO: Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and outgoing Police Commissioner Crusita Descartes-Pelius.
Mr PM please lead by example. Have the fortitude to do the right thing. … speak the truth. You’re lacking alot of credibility right now!
Pierre “had confidence” in Pelius at the time of her appointment. Does that mean that he no longer has confidence in her and that he was fooled by her CV? Just asking. What is noteworthy however, is the fact that he said nothing about her accomplishments while in office. None to talk about Mr. PM? All he said was that “Crusita Descartes-Pelius had blazed the trail for women as the first female Police Commissioner”. Something tells me that Pierre in hindsight is very disappointed with the decision he made. And with very good reason. Hope he chooses wisely the next time and not solely on a CV for they do misrepresent sometimes.
Correction Mr. Pierre!!! There can only be one Chief Police Commisioner. In the police force the post Commisioner is placed after words like Chief, Deputy & Assistant. So there are more than one.
When law and order doesn’t exist, you have have disrespectful and indescribably behavior foster. Let’s admit one fact, 98% of police officers join the force to carry out revenge on their peers in civil society. Majority don’t upheld the principles and the rule of law. Another fact is when their mind set is set by joining the force they met the old heads them inside their already who just add fuel to the agenda within. Apart from operation restore confidence, how many others was sent home or being demoted? You cannot give a captain to lead a ship with the haul is badly damage and the crew members are not agreeing with each other. That’s the horrible situation our police force is facing with. In all organizations they are different levels, and that’s the trend. The minister for security is just inexperienced, not knowledgeable to sit in that position. Because realistically you only have five years to fix or provide the resources to strengthen your law enforcement, if you get kicked out of office you’ll still have a connection there because you provide the necessary and they incumbent transition, since we practice hate politic it has embedded it self to everything and that’s why the blame game continue. Why would you not extend the contract? When equally a bad egg had replace her? Are you Mr. Minister looking to position a yes man type of person to that position? Any rightful mind set person with dignity and respect would have extended it without questions asked.