Saint Lucia’s ability to safeguard its beaches, coastal zones, and protected areas, ensuring not only environmental preservation, but also the continued security and confidence of its tourism industry and local communities has been strengthened with the graduation of 43 Special Police Constables who will be assigned to the reinstated Rangers Unit.
Trained by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and sworn in with full powers of arrest, the Rangers will form a critical frontline presence — safeguarding key tourism zones, protecting communities, and enhancing the visitor experience across the island.
At the graduation ceremony yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire, emphasized that beyond law enforcement, the Rangers must serve as ambassadors for Saint Lucia’s thriving tourism industry, which continues to achieve record-breaking visitor arrivals. He noted the importance of protecting not just people and property, but also the reputation and promise of the Saint Lucian experience.
Prime Minister and Minister for National Security, Hon. Philip J. Pierre, reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening citizen security. He pledged continued investment in the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force to ensure officers are fully equipped and supported in the discharge of their duties.
“The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has… increased its capacity to patrol and enforce the law on our coastal zones and protected areas; areas not only critical to national safety, but also to our thriving tourism sector,” Chief Instructor, Sergeant Alyshus Joseph said yesterday.
The rangers undertook a comprehensive course that “covered everything from human rights, ethics and professionalism, to conflict mediation, public speaking… the Constitution of Saint Lucia,” and more, the sergeant stated.
She added that the initiative was a meaningful collaboration between the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, the National Conservation Authority and the Ministry of Tourism.
He said the relaunch of the unit was “a bold and necessary” step.
Celeste Joseph, one the newest members of the RSLPF, said the journey “tested our mental limits, but also shaped our understanding of what it means to serve with integrity and professionalism.”
“When first arrived, many of us didn’t know what to expect. the Academy quickly became the common ground where we were broken down, built up, and modeled into one team with one purpose; to serve and protect. From day one, our instructors made it clear (that) this journey wasn’t going to be an easy one, that we would be making a huge transition in our lives, and as we stood at the gate at the end of the day, we understood what he meant.
“We learned that our basic mission… is to prevent crime and disorder and the ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon the public approval of police actions,” she added.