Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has made clear his position on the future of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.
During a recent “Newsmaker Live” interview, the Prime Minister indicated that government will focus on key areas, including retooling, resourcing and re-training police officers, in an effort to better equip them to fulfill their mandate.
The Prime Minister said the police must be equipped in order for them to perform efficiently.
“The police go out every day and do their best,” he said. “I will do everything I can to support them considering what has happened to them over the last five years. Before we criticize the police, I want to know that we gave them every piece of support to do the job the best that they can.”
The Prime Minister said the confidence of the Police has been shattered and that the sacrifice and risk involved in undertaking their duties go largely unnoticed.
He remarked that, “They are the ones putting their lives on the line. Those policemen don’t even get life insurance; they get killed on the job and their families pay the price.”
Prime Minister Chastanet said government is working in collaboration with the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force to expeditiously address several issues which will enable the organization to become a more efficient law enforcement entity.
A major project currently under consideration by government to facilitate much- needed infrastructural upgrading for lawmen and women is the relocation of Police Headquarters from upper Bridge Street to La Toc, Castries.