Ronald Phillip, who is currently acting as Commissioner of Police until a new head of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is appointed.
Who will be the next Commissioner of Police? That question now looms over the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force as Deputy Commissioner Ronald Phillip steps into the role in an acting capacity while a final decision is made on the force’s leadership.
Police Commissioner Verne Garde’s contract ended this month (March). Garde, who had been serving in an acting capacity, was granted a one-year extension in March 2025 after initially serving a six-month stint in the position.
Police Commissioner Verne Garde, who served as the island’s top cop for the past 18 months.
Speaking at Monday’s pre-Cabinet press briefing, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre confirmed that Philip will act in the role of Commissioner for the time being, with a new appointment expected soon.
Pierre said a new police chief “will be in place” between April 1 and April 15.
Garde’s tenure saw several notable developments within the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, including the largest seizure of illegal firearms and ammunition in the nation’s recorded history. According to the latest available crime statistics, the period January to October 2025 also recorded an 18% reduction in overall crime compared to the same period in 2024.
Earlier this year, Garde also presented a “127 Steps to Order” operational plan to the Prime Minister, outlining strategies to tackle crime across the island.
Any third-party or user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries published on the St. Lucia Times website (https://stluciatimes.com) in no way convey the thoughts, sentiments or intents of St. Lucia Times, the author of any said article or post, the website, or the business. St. Lucia Times is not responsible or liable for, and does not endorse, any comments or replies posted by users and third parties, and especially the content therein and whether it is accurate.
St. Lucia Times reserves the right to remove, screen, edit, or reinstate content posted by third parties on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times (this includes the said user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries) at our sole discretion for any reason or no reason, and without notice to you, or any user. For example, we may remove a comment or reply if we believe it violates any part of the St. Lucia Criminal Code, particularly section 313 which pertains to the offence of Libel. Except as required by law, we have no obligation to retain or provide you with copies of any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times. All third-parties and users agree that this is a public forum, and we do not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website. Any posts made and information disclosed by you is at your own risk.
6 COMMENTS
As long as it isnt Verne Garde. He was too swell headed. We cannot have a commissioner who is autocratic, this could cause us some serious overnight problems!!!
ALLOW MR GARDE TO DO THE JOB, HE IS VERY VERY CAPABLE.
CORINTHIANS.
We already know who it will be.
Garde MUST GO!! Not a good fit
I strongly believe Garde was doing a great job. Those persons who want him to go is because his style is affecting their corrupt ways. Garde should stay for another year.
Integrity
He was doing a very good job i don’t know him never met him from what I’ve read online he was doing his job and he was doing a darn good job the criminals wouldn’t want him as police commissioner
As long as it isnt Verne Garde. He was too swell headed. We cannot have a commissioner who is autocratic, this could cause us some serious overnight problems!!!
ALLOW MR GARDE TO DO THE JOB, HE IS VERY VERY CAPABLE.
CORINTHIANS.
We already know who it will be.
Garde MUST GO!! Not a good fit
I strongly believe Garde was doing a great job. Those persons who want him to go is because his style is affecting their corrupt ways. Garde should stay for another year.
Integrity
He was doing a very good job i don’t know him never met him from what I’ve read online he was doing his job and he was doing a darn good job the criminals wouldn’t want him as police commissioner