Prime Minister Philip J Pierre has voiced concern over a recent uptick in violent crime, even as national statistics show some improvements.
Speaking at the official commencement of training for 80 new police recruits at the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) Academy, the prime minister said the situation is “of great concern to me, of great concern to the Cabinet and of great concern to the people of Saint Lucia”.
During a recent media briefing, police reported a 19 per cent drop in overall crime for the first half of the year. Homicides were also down by 30 per cent from 40 to 28, but a recent spike of 10 in nine days alarmed residents.
Acknowledging the urgency of strengthening citizen security, Pierre said the new cohort marks a continued commitment to bolstering law enforcement.
“It is opportune that this morning we can show the public of Saint Lucia how serious we take citizen security,” he said.
The new group of 80 recruits was chosen from a pool of over 1 000 applicants; an indication, according to the prime minister, that they are “the cream of the crop.”
He urged them to dedicate themselves fully to the six-month course. “At the end of the six months, you’d have come out as a different human being. If you don’t, it’s useless. You’ve wasted your time,” he said.
This is the second batch of recruits in less than a year, following the graduation of 78 officers in December 2024. By year-end, the government expects to have trained 159 new police officers, over 50 rangers, and more than 20 members of the emergency services.
Pierre detailed the government’s significant investments in public safety infrastructure. Nearly $70 million will be spent on improving police facilities across the island. These include a new northern headquarters in Gros Islet, recently commissioned quarters in Soufrière, upgraded conditions in Choiseul and plans for a new police station in Anse La Raye.
The fire service is also receiving substantial support. “We are going to be initiating another two new ambulances,” Pierre announced, noting a US$9 million investment in emergency response infrastructure. A new fire outpost is under construction between Anse La Raye and Canaries.
The Prime Minister also pointed to logistical improvements, saying, “We have made it possible to give the police vehicles that they require,” with additional units expected before the end of the year.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment, Pierre declared, “Let it never be said that this government is not investing… in the police services and the emergency services and the national security apparatus in this country.”
He called on the police to uphold their responsibilities stating that “What is left now to do is for the… members of the police force to do their share and to do their duty.”
At what point will y’all clowns realise this is a reflection of the overall lawlessness of the country. No thief breaking into houses is doing that their first time. They started much smaller. Stealing something at home. Or stealing from a classmate. Start tackling the lawlessness in the country: the vye neg riding without helmet, the illegal vending, the loitering, the music without permits and then you will see the population starting to respect rule of law. Then those people who are now forced to obey the law will begin to start looking more closely at the bigger law breakers: the politicians, the big shots, etc.