The perceived low visibility of the Police was one of the issues that Minister for Home Affairs Honourable Dr.Virginia Albert Poyotte had on her agenda, when she met with the hierarchy of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force last week Thursday, February 03, 2022.
The Minister noted that while she highlighted this concern, often voiced by members of the public along with calls for increased patrols, she was pleased to receive the assurance of Police Commissioner Mr. Milton Desir that lawmen and women have consistently maintained a strong presence in public areas and they have been on the beat. What may have been different is that lately more police officers have been attired in civilian wear, as they awaited the arrival of their new batch of uniforms.
“And they indicted that there was a delay in getting the materials to do some of the new uniforms for the Police but so far they have contracted persons and the work is being done and we have seen an improvement in the visibility of the police officers on the streets compared to a few weeks ago; so that we are working on. The police have been there but a lot of them were in plain clothes so people thought they were not around.”
The Home Affairs Minister also took the opportunity to clarify the Prime Minister’s role as Minister with responsibility for National Security as distinctfrom her role as Minister for Home Affairs.
“Yes. That was an issue we had to clarify and I did indicate that I was responsible for the administrative role of the Police, which includes the human resource component: their working conditions, their salaries, the equipment that they need to carry out jobs properly, their uniforms and other benefits that go with the Police. So these are the areas that I focus on, to make sure the Police have all what they need to deliver effective and efficient service.”
And what of the Prime Minister’s role where national security is concerned?
“The Prime Minister is responsible for security and operations and that basically deals with the deployment of Police out there in the different police stations and to ensure that they do their patrols and they investigations and continue to serve the Saint Lucians. So that matter has received clarification and they now understand the role that I play and the role the Prime Minister plays in managing the Police.”
Minister Albert-Poyotte also reiterated government’s unwavering support for the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force promising more assistance will be provided; including a fleet of new vehicles that are to arrive on island soon.
Yes a different approach is required from the very top of this government.
Can anyone explain how a foreigner with questionable background slip into this country, spreading fake U.S. $Bills, shoot someone to death in Gros Islet, arrested and locked up (most unfortunately in a place like Barbonneau) was able to use his wits, got out and still able to slip out of the country, but was soon apprehended in his native Jamaica; and immediately, his contacts were able come up with bribe money of $1.5M plus, and the rest is history. My concern is, how was a murderer able to slip out of prison, leave the country, still wanted for murder, and the public still want to know how all this came about. He did not get away for his good looks; who paid and who collected, if there is nothing to hide then tell us, how did he got away???