Saint Lucia’s Acting Governor General has appointed Verne Garde as Saint Lucia’s acting Police Commissioner, acting on the Public Service Commission’s advice.
The appointment, announced by Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, took effect on Monday.
In the first instance, the contract is for six months.
“It’s a position that has to be carefully scrutinised and you have to look at the output, etc and then after that a decision will be taken,” the PM responded when asked why a six-month contract.
Garde previously served as Director of Corrections on two different occasions.
He is also a former head of the Special Branch Unit of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).
“Mr. Garde brings with him several years of experience in managing people and resources in the exercise of law enforcement, ” Prime Minister Pierre told reporters after announcing Guarde’s Acting Police Commissioner appointment.
Pierre, who is responsible for National Security, disclosed that the appointee had various responsibilities, including heading the Anse La Raye, Canaries, Marigot and Marchand Police Stations.
“Giving the vexing issue of crime, it is important to note that having played an essential role in executing some of the development plans for the Central Intelligence Unit of the Saint Lucia Police Force, a vital unit in crime fighting during his policing years, that the police under his leadership will have greater successes in the fight against crime,” the PM stated.
In addition to his experience on the ground, Pierre said Garde has benefitted from many professional courses.
They include drug enforcement, narcotics intelligence, protective security, gang investigation and leadership and management.
Pierre told reporters that he also underwent train-the-trainer programmes.
He said Garde holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement and Administration.
“He has been recognised by the Central Intelligence Unit of the United States for exemplary service with the award of distinguished service being conferred on him. The United Kingdom Customs and Excise Unit and the United States Embassy in Bridgetown both formally recognised his work with memoranda of appreciation,” Pierre stated.
Guarde succeeds Crusita Descartes-Pelius, whose tenure as Saint Lucia’s first Police Commissioner expired on Saturday.
Pierre thanked her for her service and wished her well on behalf of the Government and people of Saint Lucia.
In addition, he observed that at a meeting morning with the new Acting Police Commissioner, officers pledged their support for Garde.
From bad to worst,
A difficult job at a difficult time! Best wishes to Commissioner Garde and hoping he has a successful tenure. Quite a lot of problems in the RSLPF he has to deal with while handling the crime situation. And, by the way, why after three or more years there is still an acting Governor General? Why can’t someone be appointed on a permanent basis?
Phillip J Pierre’s Saint Lucia
Hope you remember the Sargent who raged war on a serving Commissioner of Police, Mr Broten. Let see how karma will repay you.
Hear how stupid our minister for homeland security is.
1. After not renewing the contract of the last acting police commissioner who would have garner knowledge of her arm force and to get rid of the rotten eggs within, he have decided not to coach her to continue the job so better the police in terms of curbing crime and to strategized a formula to put a control on her law enforcement officer and to make sure they regain public trust and at the same time curb crime. He decided to let go of the anchor.
2. Now he has found it fit to install a new acting police commissioner for a period of six months, please minister, somehow you are giving me the impression your brains are composite of wood ants. Reason being, is that you are so incompetent and unable to see what the immediate future brings to the most important body of the country as to safeguard and protect the nation, give a 6-month contract, like as if you are consuming crack daily, so the sense of direction far gone beyond returning. This can clearly be seen as a setup for this gentleman regardless of if he is capable to hold the portfolio or not. By the time he formulates, revised, and implement his form of strategy 6 months pass and gone, if he doesn’t execute then he maybe deemed unfit for the job and the position becomes like a recycle bin.
3. Are you positioning your yes man in position so you can get away with things, minister, senators etc? One senator was finger in a skullduggery not long after you secure your victory and that has gone under the table. Is this how your strategy will curb the high level of crime? If this is a political secure position how will fellow police officers who supports the other party enforce the formula, and this have proven to be so. This position should not have a political affiliated person and you will never be able to curb crime given the already corrupted individuals in your cabinet.
I will advise you to demote yourself from that position and find someone more competent even if you have to go Caricom wise. The police commissioner position should remain for a period of 4 or 7 years follow with a voting system within the law enforcement officers to either re-elect the same person or get someone new. Why 4/7 years it is before an election period and after a party retain its lead or switch. We need to stop this recycling bullshit on a serious level.
Pelius was asked to stay on and at the time, the excuse from the National Security Minister was that she was to assist with succession during her extension; yet Garde who was outside of any succession plans within the RSLPF hierachy was appointed(From Prisons).
It is clear that the short appointment is to bid time for the current matter to lose steam for the heir to be appointed. I’m sure Bordelais will have an Acting Director to ensure that Garde is able to return and the heir appointed.
Saint Lucia politics is sickening. The games and backend deals that continue to be made with no regard for accountability and transparency!
I honestly believe that St. Lucia needs external forces without any ties to St. Lucian citizens at this time. In your 238 square miles you are all either connected through family lines and or friendship – therefore resolution from within is an exercise in futility.
All the best to you my bro. Hope you do a good job at Eating TAX PAYERS MONEY.
Let’s not fool ourselves thinking anything good will come out of this one birds of the same feathers?
very good sir