The assessment and revision of benchmark qualifications for the Protective Services of Saint Lucia this week moved into a practical phase, which will see the assessment of internal processes for the Saint Lucia Fire Service, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and the Bordelais Correctional Facility.
Two experts in this field, husband and wife team Rebecca and Russell Chalmers are currently on island to undertake this review which is by the Canada-CARICOM Expert Deployment Initiative (CCEDM) in collaboration with the Ministry of the Public Services, Home Affairs. Labour and Gender Affairs.
The initiative will include a review of current training programmes and existing training plans for leadership roles, training, and the review of Human Resource forecast for leadership positions.
Minister for Home Affairs Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte welcomes the undertaking as very timely and thanked CCEDM for its support.
The Home Affairs Minister applauded the initiative. āReviewing the benchmark requirements in the Protective Services is one that I articulated very early, and I am pleased to report that at this point, the work is going on at full speed; where we have received support from the Canada-CARICOM Expert Deployment Initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Service, Home Affairs, Labour and Gender Affairs. The consultants having been working for over a month now and they are currently on island where they will be conducting interviews, and looking at relevant documents in order to prepare their final report.ā
The Minister notes that the place of skillsets, abilities and experience in the upward mobility of protective officers will form a major part of this exercise. āThe whole objective is to ensure that persons in the protective services are receiving the type of promotion that they need appointments based on what we are stressing in terms of their skills, and experience. That is critical in the Protective Services.ā
The review will include the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), the Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF), the Saint Lucia Fire Service, and the Marine Unit (RSLPF).
The Minister hinted that another entity may just be included in the Benchmark Review Exercise. The benefits of this exercise will include a modernized and revised benchmark system, increased staff participation in decision making, grooming for future positions and increased trust in the Protective Services on the part of employees.
The Benchmark Review exercise is expected to conclude in June, 2023.