Nearly 200 police officers have benefited from professional development training through a collaboration between the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) and the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).
In October 2023, male and female officers from across the island gathered at the Harbor Club in Rodney Bay to participate in the team-building workshops which covered a number of areas including self-awareness and branding. Issues facing officers such as working conditions and resource needs were also discussed.
During her opening remarks to attendees, Police Commissioner Cruscita Descartes-Pelius welcomed the partnership and encouraged officers to make the most of the opportunity.
“I need to thank you for being here… too often we task you with so many things and we don’t make the time to interact with you—to find out what your concerns are, what are the things bothering you, how you can talk to us so that we can make your working environment better,” Descartes-Pelius said.
The Commissioner noted that while the Force is faced with many challenges they can be surmounted through collaboration.
“Let us work hard and make the organization a better place. We need each other… The criminals are so tight that sometimes they are way ahead of us. Let us be tight together not just to make our work better but to build each other,” Descartes-Pelius told the audience.
Funding for this initiative came from the SLHTA’s philanthropic arm (the Tourism Enhancement Fund—TEF).
Over the years, SLHTA President Paul Collymore noted, TEF has supported the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force on a number of initiatives. The RSLPF, he said, “is really part of our industry, they’re involved at the airport, they’re involved at the seaports and the community… we see the importance of investment in training and development.”
Lauding organizers for the initiative, Sergeant Polycarp Samuel, a 30-year veteran, said “this is the first time that we’ve been introduced to a forum like that. There are times we take things for granted but this information is very crucial (to) us. By understanding who you are you can be more efficient and productive in the execution of your duties.”
WPC Beverly Fontenelle said “this workshop was way overdue and I think we should have more. As an administrative sergeant and as a female police officer this workshop has impacted my life a lot because sometimes we don’t feel good about ourselves… however these motivational speakers came out and helped us build confidence in ourselves. It was a very interactive workshop. We all participated and understood what it is to know… our worth in the police force.”
The SLHTA says it will continue to make good on its pledge to support the RSLPF through funding for more training opportunities and equipment.