The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) Thursday released a statement which dealt with videos in the public domain depicting officers conducting searches at a burial site. The statement made it clear that officers indeed conducted patrols in the cemetery, however, such patrols in such locations are commonplace for officers.
Here is the SLPF full statement:
“On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, about 5:30 p.m. a team of officers inclusive of members of the Special Services Unit, the Southern Division Tactical Response Unit and off duty officers, were conducting patrols within the La Tourney Public Cemetery. It is commonplace for officers to conduct these patrols at funerals of homicide victims. Rick Kisna, a thirty-six-year-old resident of La Ressource, Vieux Fort, who was murdered on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, was being laid to rest at the said location.
During the ceremony, officers observed a group of suspicious males and proceeded to express their intention to conduct searches of their persons. One male attempted to flee and was detained by officers, following a chase.
The searches resulted in the recovery of a 9mm pistol, with a magazine containing five rounds of ammunition, a holster and a Glock selector switch. One individual was arrested and charges are pending in relation to the discovery.
During the conduct of the exercise, persons present were informed of the purpose of the searches and the subsequent recovery made by officers. At no point were the rights of any individual infringed upon. Despite an entitlement to grieve, no one should endanger the lives of others by being in possession of unlicensed weapons. It is the responsibility of the police to preserve the peace and the exercise was in keeping with this mandate.
We take this opportunity to also address persons who insist on attempting to obstruct, in any way, officers during the lawful conduct of their duties. In doing so, they may face prosecution. We wish to thank the public for their cooperation thus far, and continue to encourage persons to provide information vital to our crime reduction efforts.”