Human Rights advocate Mary Francis has expressed skepticism regarding the appointment of Verne Garde as Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP), referring to it as ‘window dressing’.
“The Prime Minister does lots of things for window dressing and to use his words, this is just flashing mirrors,” Francis, the National Centre For Legal Aid and Human Rights Executive Director, told St. Lucia Times.
Garde’s initial contract is for six months.
On Monday, he officially succeeded Saint Lucia’s first female Police Commissioner, Crusita Descartes-Pelius, whose tenure ended on Saturday.
However, Mary Francis questioned what Descartes-Pelius had accomplished and what Garde would do.
She asserted that the authorities are not addressing the root causes of crime and violence.
“Putting Verne Garde to my mind, I am not sure will solve the problem. To my mind, it is going to cause more division in the police force,” the outspoken Attorney at Law stated.
“What about other police officers with sufficient seniority and who are able also to perform the role? They have been bypassed,” Francis noted.
Francis declared that there’s too much politics in the public service, which she felt has lost its neutrality.
She told St. Lucia Times there should be a standard procedure where all who qualify can apply for the top cop post, with the Public Service Commission choosing the most competent one.
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Exactly the point mary. You know the speed bypass the other seniors. That’s just chaotic mate eh kno that will cause division. Jah man.smh
My dear HRA – tell me what area in St. Lucia is not governed by politics ???????- absolutely nothing and it is a crying shame. I don’t know the players involved in this SLPA/Cop whatever ??? – and by the way I am neither SLP or UWP. In fact, I have never voted in St. Lucia – however, I was denied a job in the government sector based on my grand-mother’s political affiliation not mine more than 45+ years ago. That just goes to show how deep this political arena is and that will never change in St. Lucia.
My personal story – I had just graduated – took several test and passed with flying colors. When I interviewed and was testing and passed all required test for the government job, I overheard the woman who as in charge say in the back office – although she passed – “we can not give her the job, because her grandmother is a ????” and she mentioned the party. I left St. Lucia shortly thereafter and thankfully I am employed healthcare with significant impact in the community where I currently reside. I felt bad about the political decision that woman made over 45+ years ago – but looking back I realized what she meant for evil/bad really turned out for my good as I no longer reside in St. Lucia.
Mary Francis, I approve this message!!!
Mary Mary quite contrary those senior ones who’ve been bypassed according to you haven’t some of them showed their political colours in well documented actions like writing in a Police Log book “arrest anyone wearing red” . Wouldn’t their appointment sow more division and discord in an already badly divided RSLPF. When political hacks like you Mary open your mouths to talk or stretch your hand to point fingers make sure you all not suffering from memory loss. Very biased and unintelligent response from you. You used to make more sense when you were not displaying any political bias.
Guard will reap what he sowed in the RSlPF during his previous stint. So if he sowed good and honest work, then success will be his reward but if he sowed strife and discord, leaks to the media, covert operations against senior members of that organization for personal and political gain, then this too shall be his reward. For it has been written, “Whatsoever a man Soweth, that shall he also reap”. So let’s hope he did GOOD previously.
Please allow Garde the opportunity and grade him during his stint. I’m optimistic that we may be pleasantly surprised.
Pierre, security guru extraordinaire has struck again. True to form, he is getting ready to preside over another f$&k up of his own making.
Let’s examine both avenues with Garde’s appointment. If he decides not to stay after his tenure. That will trigger another search for a commissioner. Will Pierre then return to pick one of the previously discarded persons? The optics are terrible. Will a brand new person from outside St. Lucia assume the helm? I am betting dollars versus mango longs, that any brand new person will be sabotaged from within (a la’ “The Englishmen”). Whoever it will be, can’t withstand the force of that pile-driver administered by the “disrespected” officers. Pierre may have to clean up house before he finds someone from outside. This could end in a battle royale. Not good for the force.
If Garde stays. He will encounter resistance from day one. There may have to be a few retirements before the dust is settled.
Pierre is skillful at making stomach-turning security bouillons. Sickening ingredients like murders, unsolved cases, mysterious appointments, adrift goals and poor vision are his must haves. This chef will kill the diners.
The correct terminology should be ‘some humans rights lawyer’, and not ‘human rights lawyer ‘, the point being these lawyers focus only on the rights of the perpetrators, ‘some humans’, and not all humans, they are not concerned about the victims. Also, their focus is on what they see as violence being perpetrated by the state, for example a police killing, and not person on person violence. So let’s say if the police kills an armed criminal, you will hear them complain, but if an armed criminal kills a police officer or another citizen, no complaint, that’s just the way it is. That’s why we don’t hear from them when the young men are killing each other.
I’ve mentioned before I believe the PM is politically assignment yes man at various positions because we the citizens do not protest the Ill when politicians abuse our votes. I am not saying the appointee is bad but I am sure they are others who may have been over looked because knowledge may have been on the atmosphere that such person might be an yellow supporter. This nastiness needs to stop on a serious note.
Mary, I hate bias people. You are no good example to young people in St. Lucia. Your Modus Opara Randi is clearly bend on criminal support. As one who supports criminal activities in the island, for once be neutral.
St Lucia at it again ….forever drama …bring in a newer and younger cop with a new vision and a new modus operandi…We might get a new result….change the status quo
Mary concéntrate on human right of criminals leave the Police Force alone. You never like police but you in there feet. Go on a date and stretch your feet.