The contract of Commissioner of Police Verne Garde has been extended for another year. And at the end of his initial six-month tenure, he has reported that his initial policing plan is 85 per cent complete, marking significant progress in strengthening the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).
However, he acknowledged that the Force is at “a very delicate time in regards to its image” following the arrest of a veteran officer in connection with a now-recovered M16 rifle that went missing from a police station armoury last month.
Garde, who was appointed to the position on September 2, 2024, described his tenure so far as a “mammoth challenge” but said he has so far been able to improve the structure of the RSLPF.
“I came out with a plan which was relatively successful—85 per cent complete. This was, I would say, a mammoth challenge over the respective period,” he told St Lucia Times.
“I was able to bring some esprit de corps into the organisation where now some of the units and personnel are moving seamlessly for the landscape of national security to improve.”
Acknowledging that all organisations face institutional disruptions, Commissioner Garde pointed to the firearm theft case as one such challenge within the RSLPF.
Sergeant Charlemagne remains on remand over the disappearance of an M16 rifle from the Gros Islet Police Station armoury on February 15. Though declining to comment extensively to avoid prejudicing the case, Garde admitted that such incidents impact public confidence in the Force.
“Well, of course, the Royal Saint Lucia police force is currently in a very delicate time in regards to its image, and every act that redounds negatively for the organisation, it’s something that we should not condone as a people and as members of the royal saint lucia police force,” he said.
“Being in such a brittle and fragile state, we have to ensure that we do all we can to maintain a good national security climate and also a good image for the force. So generally, the recovery of that firearm, and also the arrest and charge of the particular individual has put us in a better footing.”
Garde said the RSLPF did all it could to recover the firearm “to ensure that the public is safer”. No details about the circumstances surrounding the recovery have been made public.
Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner emphasised the need for greater collaboration among law enforcement agencies, including Customs, the Bordelais Correctional Facility—at which he previously served as director—and private security services, to strengthen Saint Lucia’s national security.
“Every law enforcement agency… needs to step up the game to maintain a very good national security climate and a safer Saint Lucia…. When everybody comes on board, we will have a better national security product,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to the people of Saint Lucia for their trust, Garde stated, “The job I’m doing is very difficult, but I’m doing it with sincerity and fairness, and I will continue working hard for the people of Saint Lucia.”
Good morning Mr. Garde.
We the residents of Boisden, Jacmel wrote you in February requesting an update on a delicate matter and you ignored us. We did not want to bring this in the public domain but as you and the Senior magistrate ignored us we are force to go this route. Mr. Commissioner can you tell us what become of the case where this notorious criminal from Boidsen Jacmel was arrested for a firearm and was bailed for $50 000.00 and the case was withdrawn. Why was that case just disappear into thin air? How many gun cases have disappeared similar to this one? Mr. Garde, we don’t want to lose hope in you, please respond.
The Police Farce is a lot more visible now than they have been in a very long time. I see traffic tickets being issued. I see road blocks on road ways. I see raids on known criminal hangout spots. I see one of your own on remand. Although the state of law enforcement is deplorable it is on an upward trajectory from the historical lows. I hope it continues to improve. That already is a success from what obtained prior.
It is all well and good to emphasise that, “Every law enforcement agency… needs to step up the game to maintain a very good national security climate and a safer Saint Lucia…. When everybody comes on board, we will have a better national security product,”
How is that meant to happen when everyone is out for themselves? That involves ALL law enforcement agencies and the rest.
The police force is in somewhat of a better state than before, but I think there need to be changes in how Officers are employed. Performance makers should be introduced and everyone should be held to account. If they have not met the set requirements, you are out of a job. Only then will they pull their weight.
The good officers are being let down by the rotten eggs. Until this gets rectified, the police force will be what it has always been a gang of Powered bullies.
Many are concerned about possible political interference in the RSLPF. The dissemination of confidential information to politicians should be grounds for immediate dismissal as it undermines public confidence. Similarly politicians should not have instant power to relocate police officers or direct their actions. We cannot ever allow a politically run police state.
@John Snow. He is not wrong about that. Many govt agencies don’t follow established policy and best practice. Someone open a rum shop with customs and liquor licensing board not doing their job. Trouble ensues. The police are called. Someone squatting on land, call DCA. Drag their feet. Conflict ensues. Police get called. Somebody build a shed, start blasting music in the neighbourhood. Police called because DCA didn’t do their jobs. Everything is thrown at the police but other players can make their jobs easier.
I agree with performance based merit promotion. This government theory of doing a degree and getting a promotion is anti productive and un meritocratic. Having a degree don’t mean you best at your job. To fix this issue, police salaries need to be competitive to attract those with the best attitudes. It shouldn’t be a “last resort” for those who have few other career prospects. Higher better candidates from the start and the entire, promote based on merit. The cream will rise to the top. And the rising tide will raise all the ships. Eventually the rotten ones will be left behind.
@ Solutions Oriented, I also agree with you. If the issue is not addressed from the very beginning, it spirals out of control and then gets more difficult to resolve.
I still think that these Officers should be contracted, in so doing they would pull their weight. Knowing that they have not performed to standard and their contract will not be renewed.
The other issue is after training school, some of them seem to get very comfortable and over weight. That needs to be addressed and changed.