The Government of Saint Lucia has initiated the largest infrastructure investment project for the island’s police force.
On September 30, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre signed a Built Own Lease Transfer (BOLT) agreement with the National Insurance Property Development and Management Company Ltd. (NIPRO), to commence construction of a new divisional police headquarters in Gros Islet. NIPRO is a subsidiary of the National Insurance Cooperation (NIC). The total value of the project is estimated at $35 million dollars.
Previously-made plans to improve occupational conditions at the Gros Islet Police Station were shelved in 2017. This investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to national security and to improve the working conditions of police officers tasked with maintaining law and order.
Construction of the new police divisional headquarters is scheduled to start in early 2023.
Since July 2022, the government has injected millions in resources to improve capacity and raise the occupational standards for the island’s chief security apparatus.