Commissioner of Police Verne Garde is adamant that there is no political interference in the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) and has assured that the much-talked-about transfer of a police officer-entertainer had nothing to do with him performing at a meeting of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP).
At a press conference on Tuesday, Garde addressed allegations that he had been instructed to transfer Sergeant Calixte Xavier following his performance as calypsonian Kakal. Xavier received his transfer letter the day after his March 2 appearance on the UWP stage.
Minister for Crime Prevention Jeremiah Nobert refuted claims of political interference on Monday. Garde also denied receiving any directive that led to Xavier’s transfer. He clarified that the transfer was not politically motivated but rather a strategic decision to manage the RSLPF’s operational needs.
“There is absolutely zero political interference in the work of the police, especially under my charge. I have not been faced with any politician or someone involved in politics giving me any kind of interference whatsoever throughout my tenure in the organisation,” the police chief told reporters.
He went on to explain that in an attempt to address the “chronic” issue of accumulated vacation leave within the RSLPF, two sergeants from the Vieux Fort Police Station had to proceed on leave. Xavier was chosen as the most suitable officer to fill the gap created by their absence.
“This shift of Mr Xavier has absolutely nothing to do with Mr Xavier’s performance on a stage. Mr Xavier has performed in the past on many stages. The content of his lyrics is academic; we’ve heard it before. I’m not too sure what the hue and cry is in regards to this current position,” the police commissioner said.
“I find it very bizarre that a move that may have culminated in persons being given more responsibility would be looked at in the negative…. Transfer is a part of the job in the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.”
Commissioner Garde also responded to claims that the action taken against two other officers in January may have been politically motivated. The two, Yann Gustave and Harvey Taliam, had become embroiled in heated exchanges on social media with Housing Minister Richard Frederick.
However, according to Garde, there was an “internal” report made against both officers, and there was a need for an investigation. As a result and “for good administration and management,” Gustave was advised to proceed on vacation, he said. Taliam was transferred from his substantive position at the Special Branch Unit to the Babonneau Police Station.
Garde did not disclose who made the reports against the policemen.
Asked whether he reported to Frederick, the police commissioner responded, “Absolutely not!”
He told reporters that he reports solely to the Minister of National Security, who is Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre.
My man uttered those lies with a straight face. Politician in the making.
Yeah, right … mwen meme. Fool the foolish …
This statement means nothing, the police force should be reviewed by an outside agency.
Who do you expect to believe that? You have always been aligned with the Labour Party.We have not forgotten the past.#timewilltell
When the police force neglect their duties, criminals delight.
ALL ABOUT NOTHING ! So from now when officers are given transfers they will deem it politically motivated as if to say there is “a no transfer clause” in their contract……only just for some…….(Choops) Like St Lucia so Big. Any point on this rock is reachable in one hour or less. Mr Commissioner since they are complaining about their directives start sending them to different departments, let them become “ well rounded”, put the Calypsonian to perform traffic duty, filing documents at HQ, inventory management and accountability, dispatching, Community affairs and outreach, or put them on the beat patrol indefinitely NO VEHICULAR SERVICE they must be on patrol in the community they are assigned to for 8hrs rain or shine wearing out their government boots. When you are in the military and you are given a transfer you have to go, there can’t be no insubordination, besides they get travel allowance whenever they are transferred from one location to another.
What a coincidence that the transfer was initiated a day after performing on a UWP platform.
Please note that not all of us fall into the chicken and rum club. Some of us actually possess a brain.
Madame police the alleged attempted kidnapping didn’t happened in a remote area. It’s time that the police stop this petty excuse that the police can’t be everywhere. It happened in the heart of Castries.
Those transfers simply cannot be mere coincidence, political interference is what all the roads lead to.