Police are investigating a disturbing viral video showing a confrontation between officers and a driver during a traffic stop, while acknowledging that the officers’ actions “deviated from police procedures and the general principles of professional conduct and human rights”.
The footage, which sparked widespread public backlash, captures officers ordering the driver, thought to be a well-known lawyer, to turn off his ignition for an intended vehicle impoundment.
The driver, however, repeatedly demands a ticket instead. Tensions escalate as an officer threatens to shoot if the driver attempts to leave, while a female passenger protests, “Hello, there is a passenger in here.”
Notably, one of the officers appears to be the same individual involved in another recent viral traffic stop that also turned contentious. The incident has drawn scrutiny from the Saint Lucia Bar Association, heightening concerns over police conduct.
In a statement issued Thursday, Superintendent Troy E. Lamontagne, head of the Department of Road Safety and Traffic Investigations, confirmed that an internal probe was launched immediately after the videos surfaced on June 18. While the investigation remains ongoing, preliminary findings indicate a breach of protocol.
“Without prejudice to the internal investigation or any other judicial inquiry that may result from the events, I wish to state that the officers’ actions deviated from police procedures and the general principles of professional conduct and human rights,” Lamontagne said.
He clarified that under Section 23 of the Driving Code, which addresses excessive windshield tint, a violation alone does not warrant vehicle impoundment.
However, he urged public compliance with lawful police directives, noting that grievances should be addressed through formal channels, like the Police Complaints Commission or judicial review.
Lamontagne also issued a stern warning to those threatening officers:
“For the persons out there who have expressed criminal intent or are contemplating criminal acts against police officers who report to work daily to try to do their jobs and carry out their sworn duty and sometimes make mistakes, be warned: erase that criminal intent lest you wish to face a lawful force that you have not heard of or seen before.”
Despite the controversy, he reaffirmed the force’s commitment to professionalism and public safety, stating, “The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force values partnership with the community and remains committed to… improved road safety for everyone.”
This character really brings shame to the RSLPF. The good hardworking decent officers and the police welfare association should denounce that cancer.
So it had to take runnings with a controversial lawyer who refuse to be bullied, before such a common matter was addressed?
Perhaps the time has come to remove the word “Force” from the nomenclature, as the emphasis seems to be on the verb as opposed to the noun definition of the word. The word “Service” would be a more fitting replacement as it is the primary objective of the police to serve and protect, is it not? While there is no discounting of the need for the verb definition in the execution of duties where appropriate, this should not be the overarching theme for same which seems to be inherently implied by the existing nomenclature.
Thank you sir we the members of the public awaited that press release. But something is missing, please tell us what is the next course of action in relation to the officer in question and please tell us why was the officers behaving the way they did on that afternoon. Was he targeted or are they sending a message, do they care about protecting and serve or do they need to be on leave with out pay pending the out come of another embarrassing moment caught on tape.
Superintendent while your words were reassuring at first, your further explanation does sound threatening. You are very confrontational in saying that “lest you wish to face a lawful force, that you have not heard or seen before. This sounds like a threat and bullying too. Do you mean that you are coming with all guns blazing? Are you touting that you have sophisticated weapons ready to use? Come on Officer ….
The situation in St Lucia now with the Police is “La vay la main ou, souyay ateh”. We trying to make progress and bridge the gap with Community Policing and on the on the other hand, the police themselves undoing the good that is being sought.
When last have we seen a Police Officer in Castries patrolling. What we see is a group of at least 3 of them with their books well opened out interested in issuing tickets. It is like they are programmed to give a minimum quota for the day. By the same token, they operate like robots, they can see people ready to fight, traffic congested or any other situation that warrants their attention, they turn a blind eye. … just tickets, just tickets. I wonder if they get a commission or promotion based on the number of tickets that they issue.
This morning they conducting stops/searches in the heat of the traffic on the back of the Rayneau Bridge, in the heat of traffic. After all relevant documents were provided and I was in the clear, they checked out my tyres and I was ok. When they could not find anything wrong they told me that they would still give me a ticket for seat belts. I was not wearing my seat belt.
All that crime in St Lucia, all the vehicles playing their blairing music, etc….
So much for Community Policing
You guys keep acknowledging it and not disciplining those officers hence the reason why they keep acting like they’re the judge and jury. Majority of those officers have no respect for anyone young or old. Those officers have no regards for people lives, they believe they can take it as they please.
always have two sides to the story the video speak for it self very confrontaional wat i heard in the clip was very disterbing and need to be adress ASAP my take on the matter he should be dismis effective emmidately point blank peoride