Government is moving ahead with plans for the construction of a fully refurbished Gros Islet police station, in an effort to better facilitate law officers with the execution of their duties in the country’s most densely populated community and hectic business hub.
Work is due to commence, next January, at the Scout’s Headquarters, in Massade, where the current facility is based.
Towards this quest, on Wednesday, a delegation consisting of the Minister for Youth Development and Sports and the parliamentary representative for Gros Islet, Kenson Casimir along with Minister for Home Affairs Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte and other government officials took on a media tour of the northern-based facility.
Dr. Poyotte underlined the need for proper working space for the officers to carry out their duties, more efficiently.
“We are looking at the present conditions under which the police were operating over the years …and it is unacceptable for police officers. The government has decided to improve the conditions of service for the police,” Dr. Poyotte told reporters, during the site visit.
Under the purview of the Home Affairs ministry, she said, a guarantee was made “to improve the lot of the police” so they may be better able to serve the community and the country, generally.
Dr. Poyotte stressed that this latest development will assist the officers immensely, and enable them “to combat the social ills that we have and to bring about peace and tranquility in our society.”
The minister added, “At this point …sooner or later, we should be starting with the construction (works) as the prime minister has given directives to begin the work.”
Earlier this year, former Prime Minister Allen Chastanet had announced plans to provide the officers with a permanent base, but these plans did not materialize.
Since 2014, officers working at the Gros Islet security base have had to undergo a sort of ‘roller coaster’ ride, moving from one location to another.
Over the past years, the facility has been based at the Scout’s Headquarters, in Massade; albeit, on a temporary basis. But with numerous complaints about the viability of the structure, proposals have been forthcoming to secure a proper venue to accommodate the law officers.
Reports indicate that due to mold infestation and other structural hazards at the former police station, located along Dauphin Street, in Gros Islet, the facility was relocated to its present site. Since then, the Massade facility has been experiencing infrastructural issues, which resulted in the officers being temporarily moved to the Human Resource Centre, at Gros Islet before they were returned to the Massade base.
Consequently, the former Scout Headquarters will be demolished to make way for a new building. Alternately, the officers will be housed at another location, while construction works are in progress
Two sites have been allocated for the relocation phase to house the various departments within the unit. The temporary locations are, Stephanie’s Hotel and Apartments and the Gros Islet Human Resource Centre.
Parliamentary representative for Gros Islet, Casimir said the government is intent on doing away with the systematic process of renting buildings “to house our police”.
He stated: “We are moving in the direction to ensure that they are completely comfortable …and so, we had our site visit to Stephanie’s Hotel, which will be one of the areas for dormitories, to ensure that they are comfortable.”
Casimir says the government is cognizant of the ‘low morale’ experienced by law officers and compounded with the tedious task of getting persons to comply with the Covid-19 protocols and the prevailing crime situation “and so we are putting our best foot forward to ensure that they are comfortable.”
Assistant Superintendent of the Gros Islet Police Station, Errol Alexander, explained that one of the biggest challenges at the current facility is the lack of working space in the compound. He said storage space for confiscated items such as motorbikes and other stuff are kept within the corridors of the facility and this presents a cumbersome situation.
However, ASP Alexander noted that despite the limitations and the Covid factor “the officers are in high spirits…and persons (officers) still work diligently.”
Taking into consideration that the relocated base does not make provisions to accommodate detainees, Alexander said, nonetheless, they will manage with what is available to them as they await better working conditions.
“It is not the ideal location, but I understand that we need to get out of there to make room for them to construct the new police station.”
Meanwhile, no disclosure has been made as to the cost factor and the time frame proposed for construction of the new facility.