The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has provided an update on the four sexual misconduct allegations made against a senior officer, with Police Commissioner Verne Garde stating there is currently “no prospect of legal proceedings” in three cases.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Garde revealed that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has so far reviewed three of the four case files submitted for legal assessment.
“I did make a pronouncement that I sent all four of the respective files to the Office of the DPP,” Garde said.
“I must say that this morning I had a conversation with the DPP who has been able to go through the first three files in that matter. The Director of Public Prosecutions has instructed them that there is absolutely no prospect of legal proceedings on any one of these matters.”
Back in April, Garde had informed reporters that two of the case files had already been reviewed and completed by an investigator. However, “with an abundance of caution”, he said, those files were forwarded to the DPP, “so he too will have the opportunity to peruse the files and, of course, to make his necessary recommendations to me.”
According to Thursday’s update, all four files have now been sent to the DPP, and only one remains under review.
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The top cop should allow the DPP to speak on the matter.
Why am I not surprised and the public is not fooled either. I have seen members of the public prosecuted for lesser sexual offenses but this accused high ranking police office cannot face the courts for his alleged misdeeds? A Vieux Fort teacher was accused 23 years after the fact but the timeline didn’t prevent the DPP’s office and the RSLPF from prosecuting him and he now sits in prison serving a ten year sentence, and this high ranking police officer can’t be treated like this teacher? But no – there is justice and JUSTICE. one for the haves and the other for the have nots. One thing is clear though, while good ole justice seems elusive sometimes, it always finds its mark at the end – ALWAYS!! My sympathy goes out to those brave police women who stood up for what is right and those still fighting the plague of sexual harassment with the walls of the beleaguered organization. Keep your head up high and never give up your push against the sexual predators in your midst.
From the moment, he said previously that he sent the case file back to the investigator, everybody knew exactly what would happen.