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Saint Lucia Braces for Another Contingent of RSS Officers

By Reginald Andrew

With Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre disclosing that arrangements are in place for another contingent of Regional Security System (RSS) officers to be deployed on island, the island’s police hierarchy states that their crime-fighting strategies have been boosted by more ‘boots on the ground’.

Police Commissioner Crusita Pelius-Descartes told reporters, this week, the addition of the RSS officers working alongside members of the Royal St Lucia Police Force [RSLPF] have helped to reduce incidents of criminality in the communities.

The commissioner reported that the police continue to implement its “crime fighting operations” and over the last weekend, the activity was heavily managed in the southern communities and other districts, as well.

Pelius-Descartes stated that the additional resources received from the government, in terms of vehicles and other equipment have been quite rewarding and enabled the joint forces of officers to better conduct their duties.

Commissioner of Police Crusita Descartes-Pelius
Commissioner of Police Crusita Descartes-Pelius

“The assistance received from government as it relates to crime fighting has been quite helpful …and it has made our job easier and quite successful,” she declared.

Speaking on the latest deployment of RSS officers to assist local cops in battling the crime factors, the commissioner notes that, the RSS presence on island does not depreciate or undermine the services of the RSLPF officers.

“The RSS (officers) being here is no indication of a lack of competence in my men and women in the organisataion and it’s to increase the numbers that we have on the ground,” she said.

“We intend to continue the operations not only in Vieux Fort, but throughout Saint Lucia,” the Commissioner added. “Because we want to make Saint Lucia a better place …and I must take the opportunity to commend the officers for the hard work that they’re doing and to encourage them that we will stay together , to work as hard as we can lawfully, to make Saint Lucia a better place for Saint Lucians and visitors alike.”

Pelius-Descartes appealed for a more caring society, in an effort to foster more unity and social camaraderie in the society.

She added: “We need to care for each other, we need to care for our neighbours …and if we do that to show more love and caring for each other, and we will have a better Saint Lucia.”

The commissioner assures that the intensified crime fighting strategies will continue, even after the RSS officers have left the country.

“The men and women in the Royal St Lucia Police Force are committed to working hard to make Saint Lucia a better place , with or without the RSS troops,” she said. “Whatever we have begun in Vieux Fort and Saint Lucia at large, we are committed to continue it.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Police Commissioner (Strategic Operations) Ronald Phillip stated that the police aims to be relentless in the battle against crime.

He said that over the past weeks, the police have carried out several operations in different communities, island-wide and were successful in recovering firearms, ammunition, drugs, and several arrests were effected.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ag), Ronald Phillip
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ag), Ronald Phillip

“We are going to continue with our presence and we are going to continue with these operations,” said Phillip. “We are not going to allow any group of thugs to hold any decent citizen to ransom.”

The police have also been beefing up its border patrol surveillance with assistance of outside forces, in an effort to curb the illegal trafficking and distribution of firearms and ammunition, and drugs.

“Notwithstanding the land operations, the Marine Unit was part of the ongoing operations,” he explained. “We also had a contingent of the French (officers) with us, and they continuously provide support for us as we carry out these operations. Our numbers are ‘strength in unity’ …and we have these external agencies assisting us. And moving forward there is going to lots more collaboration, not just with external agencies, but internally, as well.”

Added Phillip: “Operationally, as an organaisation we will spare no effort in guarding the citizens of Saint Lucia…currently, we are in the process of recruiting. As of July 1st we hope to start training 60 new police officers as an addition to our existing structure and that should take care of some of our manpower shortages.”

While not divulging into detail, the DPC commented on the use of CCTV security cameras strategically placed at different locations to assist the police with their operations. He noted: “There is an ongoing strategy that involves cameras… an ongoing crime fighting strategy that involves some level of CCTV.”

 

3 Comments

  1. Our forebears taught us – ah-fosse kowee gouti, nous cai-sav sa chien-ya.

    Yes, now, one can say that the drug bosses and their criminal posse were like a fast running agouti but it’s beginning to seem that the combined forces of the regional and St.Lucia law enforcement bull dogs are , indeed, a force to be reckoned with in fighting this pernicious battle.

    Understand well, that the power of GOD is mightier than the power of evil. The force that takes on the standards of RIGHTEOUSNESS – Justice, Judgement, truth and Equity;

    The force that avails itself of Knowledge, Wisdom and understanding;

    The force that is valiant for the freedom and well-being of mankind,

    Is well furbished to take the battle to the gate and drive out evil and its minions into flaming pits of destruction.

    Saviors will come upon our Caribbean mountains; they will search every inlet; they will turn over every matla-peesa and they will gather all the bousi like un pachay hadde-sal, throw them in the park zordee and burn them to ashes.

    It must be said that St.Lucia is under the hand of a great sea captain and valiant crew. Our elders would rejoice to know that the dog is proving to be faster than the agouti.

    Psssiance batte bwital GOD save St.Lucia and our Caribbean family.

  2. A DANIEL COMES TO JUDGMENT:
    And it came to pass just as I was beginning to lose faith, in the ability of our brave men and women of the police force, a Daniel came up to judgment. Yes, Saint Lucia all you now have to do is shoulder you’re top cop administration, words of encouragement are now needed to muster the burden placed on those brave souls. bluntly speaking may almighty God protect you all in your fight for oneness and the cleansing of Saint Lucia.
    To the administration who promise to sweep those vandals out of Saint Lucia, there is no better time but now to support your local sheriff, Saint Lucia’s top cop as she catches fire striking a blow on behalf of the entire citizen of Saint Lucia, unity makes strength, onward Christian soldiers.
    To the top cop who now has given me hope, once more to gradually change my belief, that there is power in one individual whose loyalty is unquestionable, second to the love of her people I salute you.
    Now the fight has begun, the arrow has left and is in flight, may I remind you that there will be roadblocks, some weak hearts may falter out of fear, just remember it is always darkest before the dawn, so trod on, please Saint Lucia support your top cop, mom’s and Pops, grand ma’s going into your secret corner and say a prayer for the men in blue who is willing to tackle this dilemma brought on our beloved Island, it will take a lot of doing to unnest those crocked bastards, hit them on all fronts.
    Saint Lucia is full of secured areas, Micoud up to Channels alone has scores of vantage places where the enemy can hide, so search the beach fronts and inland religiously and vigorously.
    Don’t spare the countryside place sentries to block their retreat, cast a net over the Island, and give them hell.

  3. IS SAINT LUCIA A GANGSTERS PARADISE:
    In a global democratic world of ideas, the rule of law seldom is respected by criminal gangs, criminals spread terror, and mayhem, criminals’ justice is what is needed outright throughout a community of law-abiding citizens, criminals do not obey the law that is why they do all kinds of violence in an open and inclose jurisdiction. Casing point some officers of the Saint Lucia police force are and have been scrutinizing, their crimes became so outrageous that international finger-pointing, big brother had its say.
    My grandmother use to say, you must sleep with hens to know if a hen snores, and that only those individual who put their hands in the fire, knows if the fire is hot, yes operation restore peace was a good idea, and still is according to the result of increase crimes here on the Island, Saint Lucian do not slaughter anyone without a cause and that is usually in self-defense, the police have to be vigilance too, what’s next a condemnation of the whole police force, that will not help Saint Lucia citizen in any way, tell foreign diplomat to butt out, Saint Lucia is an independent sovereign island, and as such do not need any permission to eradicate and fumigate outlaws residing within their border.
    Saint Lucia will not match to the piper’s tune, we will never be a gangers’ paradise, and the majority of pure Saint Lucians will not allow it to happen, if indeed there are a few undisciplined police officers well they should be reprehended by the administration, not by outside influence, especially not ones who lives with crime at their doorstep daily end of the story.
    Saint Lucia, you need all your able body young men and women to join in the fight, yes it is a fight, a fight for survival and freedom, Saint Lucia playing international politics is taboo, just so you can be a wanna-be on the world stage, oh how you are def and blind, the countries that professed to be politically right has more internal fusion and more crimes done in the name of the law. What says have you in their internal or external affairs?
    Don’t be a foolish virgin Saint Lucia, the ones who are judging your people have prisons around the continent of all sorts, political prisoners, war crimes, terrorists, and sorts. Chances are they may well be responsible for the dilemma you now face, by sending back those people who commit crimes at their border back to their respective countries, freeing themselves from potential harm, back to you to continue where they left off, they are not your friends why try to imitate them.
    We need tough love for our citizens who commit crimes, instant justice for the crime committed, and not waste the court’s time if found caught in the act implement instant justice to them, think of the law-abiding citizen who finds themselves caught in the crossfire.
    Saint Lucia will you let fair Helen become a gangster’s paradise, hell no! That will bring back my grand uncle from his grave and all God-fearing heroes of Saint Lucia to battle.
    Don’t bow down to outside pressure either, just to be on the world stage, by God I say no way, apply your God-given rights and justice for all.

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