Former National Security Minister Hermangild Francis has weighed in on the arrest of a veteran police sergeant in connection with the disappearance of an M16 rifle from a police armoury, calling for accountability and stricter measures to prevent any similar incidents in the future.
While refraining from commenting on the officer’s innocence or guilt, Francis expressed deep disappointment over the alleged theft.
He insisted that if found guilty, the officer should receive a firm sentence “so that persons understand that when you hold power in your office, especially as a police officer, you cannot be doing this sort of thing.”
Francis, who is also a former deputy commissioner of police, also stressed the need for ongoing officer vetting to prevent future security breaches.
“We have to continue screening our officers as much as possible to ensure that these things do not reoccur,” he said.
Sergeant Ricardo Jerson Charlemagne was remanded to prison on Tuesday when he appeared in the First District Court to answer a theft charge in connection with the disappearance of an M16 rifle from the Gros Islet Police Station armoury on February 15.
The case remains under investigation, with authorities working to recover the missing firearm.
Francis also raised concerns about the security of firearms within the police force, questioning whether proper oversight mechanisms were in place.
He acknowledged that, like any organisation, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has both dedicated officers and those who engage in wrongdoing.
In a statement earlier on Tuesday, in which he announced the charge against Charlemagne, Superintendent Luke Defreitas, who heads the Central Division, said the RSLPF remains committed to accountability, transparency, and justice.
He asserted that this particular case does not define the many hard-working officers who risk their lives daily to keep citizens safe.
“Corruption, misconduct, and criminal behaviour have no place in this organisation, and those who choose to engage in such actions will face the full consequences of the law,” Defreitas added.
The senior officer reaffirmed that the RSLPF will continue to uphold the values of duty, honour, and service to the highest degree.
That begs the questions:
1. Who started putting illegal firearms on the streets of St. Lucia?
2. How many past/present officers are guilty of this act?
3. Is that the first time that this former minister is hearing of that act/behaviour in law enforcement in 758?
A message to the Commissioner! JUST FIND THAT RIFLE, AND GET IT QUICK!
You mean to tell me – you guys still have not located this DANGEROUS firearm????????? I hate to say what I am thinking ————-all I can say is GOD HELP THE PEOPLE IN ST. LUCIA – for your size (238 sq. miles) too much is going on.
The real question we have , has there been instances where find nato shells (ammo issued to police) at crime scenes . The amount of bullets I hearing at nights in town and grand Riviere where are these bullets coming from. To be bursting all these shots there must be someone or group with a large stock anmmo and on island. Ammo is heavy harder to pass through customs put that boat you might sink the boat. So that leaves with the people with large stock on island. Is their mechanism checking those groups Ammo supplies. All these questions we must start asking of the police……..,
Even if someone get their hands on the M 16 were will they get bullets for it..
Who will guard the guns?
Bipolar, I don’t believe that it was sold/ delivered without the bullets for it 😢
Wasn’t this man a past deputy commissioner of police and in most recent times a minister of national security? To ask for things to be done now is like asking us to close the stable doors after the horses have bolted. He claimed that this has been happening in the force from his time as deputy commissioner, which we all knew but we never heard of any arrest or disciplinary action against these officers. Too often in this country we only see what can be done to solve a problem when we are not directly involved. However when we get in a position to solve it we turn to our colleagues and ask WHO WILL BELL THE CAT because we are all coward mice trying to find favour with the big boys.