Acting Commissioner of Police (COP), Verne Garde, has revealed his Crime Prevention Strategy, which he presented to Prime Minister Philip J Pierre this week.
The plan was revealed by Verne Garde himself in an almost half-hour-long video shared on Facebook.
Relying on community support, existing initiatives, and a partial makeover to name a few, he vows to put his shoulder to the wheel and get the job done to the best of his ability.
While the Commissioner’s speech was flamboyant and shows ambition, only time will tell whether his plan is solid enough to mitigate Saint Lucia’s crime issue once and for all.
“As Commissioner of Police, I intend to utilise new and existing resources, human and otherwise, to effectively and efficiently satisfy the crime prevention strategy through a tripod approach with the support of my executive team. Though there is no panacea, (remedy), it is the intention of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) for the ensuing six months to refine the organization to meet its generic and intended purpose,” he said, adding that RSLPF intends to do so by employing a multi-sectorial and collaborative approach towards crime reduction, road safety, maritime safety and border control.
According to the Acting Commissioner, the current situation in Saint Lucia requires to some extent, redefining and revitalizing the organization’s image “by making it more modern and relevant to the needs of the public.”
Verne Garde said that the RSLPF has reviewed its public relations and community engagement strategy, and will now adopt a posture of involvement and partnership with the public.
“This will be achieved through a variety of proactive measures aimed at preventing and reducing crime in partnership with the public and other stakeholders. Consequently, it is the intention of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force to employ a neighbourhood policing crime prevention strategy with particular focus on intelligence-led problem solving and community policing,” he said.
While the goal of the RSLPF is not necessarily the absence of crime, the Acting COP said the RSLPF is determined to keep citizens safe.
“Each of the objectives to neighbourhood policing are of equal importance due to the expected fundamental outcomes to collectively drive neighbourhood policing as an essential element of a modern policing organization. The police will work hand in glove with the public to remain informed of the issues affecting the communities, maintaining a two-way conversation and remaining active within the community and partner organisation,” the COP declared.
But while the RSLPF is relying heavily on public cooperation to mitigate the issue, it is important to point out that citizens have often expressed an unwillingness to come forward, for fear of being targeted.
The lack of trust in the police is also an issue for the RSLPF, and so are reports of officers being unamiable.
But will we see a change with Verne Garde at the helm?
The Acting Commissioner has six months to prove himself with his appointment taking effect on September 2nd.
He said that’s quite a bit of time to crack down on crime and he will certainly be held accountable for his actions.
In the meantime, the Acting COP intends to implement a string of initiatives that he hopes will curb criminal activities on the island.
“It is the intent of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force to employ a strategic approach to crime prevention that relies on the use of data and analysis to guide our operations, with emphasis on targeted data collection, evaluation, coalition, analysis and dissemination of information to improve decision-making and resource allocations in policing,” he said.
He said the RSLPF will install a more modern and contemporary electronic database with human resources and an intelligence component.
The principal aimis “To install the database at all stations and units within the organization to facilitate nationwide intelligence gathering and a more comprehensive approach to data analysis,” he continued.
According to the Acting COP, “This will further synchronize police activities throughout all stations, substations, units and dissemination of police data to all internal departments.”
Verne Grade’s Crime Prevention Strategy will be used until March 3rd, 2025.
The Strategy has been met with mixed reactions on social media, with some individuals commending the COP for his bold initiatives, and others stating that it is all talk. And that like past Commissioners, Garde, too, will not be able to deter criminals.
But this Commissioner seems determined to get the job done.