The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) strengthened its crime-fighting capabilities on Monday as the French government donated its second “extensively trained” canine to the force during a ceremony at police headquarters in Castries.
This donation marks the latest development in the revival of Saint Lucia’s K-9 Unit, originally established in April 2021 to combat drug trafficking and illegal weapons before being disbanded in 2022 due to budget constraints. The previous unit, which maintained a 60 per cent success rate according to former Police Commissioner Crusita Descartes-Pelius, was dissolved over its $40 000 monthly operational costs.
Inspector Shervon Matthew of the Gang, Narcotics and Firearms Unit emphasised the strategic value of the new addition.
“This second trained canine strengthens our operational capabilities in a significant way,” he said. “This dog will serve not only the RSLPF but will also be a vital asset to our customs, marine unit and other arms of law enforcement throughout the island of Saint Lucia.
“It will bolster our efforts in intercepting the trafficking of illegal firearms and narcotics, two of the most serious threats to our national security.”
The French Ambassador to Saint Lucia, Francis Etienne, framed the donation as part of ongoing bilateral cooperation.
“… What is touching your community is touching us, touching our families…and so, of course, we want the police force to be effective and efficient,” he pointed out.
“So the dog embodies a lot of things altogether, and he’s not the last one; this is just a step in the future cooperation.”
Police Commissioner Verne Garde hailed the acquisition as transformative in managing “some of the more difficult exploitations we have when we do searches”.
Garde also acknowledged the reciprocal nature of the security partnership, referring to the French department of Martinique.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Mashama Sealy reflected on the broader significance: “We gather here to receive, not just a highly trained canine but a living symbol of international cooperation, shared values, and a mutual commitment to safety and Justice.”
The K-9 Unit now comprises two French-donated dogs, the first having been gifted in July last year.
“This dog will serve not only the RSLPF but will also be a vital asset to our customs, marine unit and other arms of law enforcement throughout the island of Saint Lucia.”
So, you guys are going to use two K-9s to support all of the above?
Scenario: There are two Ops going on and both K-9s are being used, but the Marine Unit or Customs (South) is requiring assistance which requires one or both of the working dogs. What would the outcome be? You would then have to prioritise which is more important and in so doing, there is a waste of manpower, resources, efficiency, effectiveness to operate and more.
Why don’t the each department get their own K-9? In that instant the dogs are being overworked and departments will get the best out of them. The answer is, it’s too expensive. Tell that to a PM who only sees it fit to provide vehicles to the RSLPF as a means of crime fighting.