The Government of Saint Lucia is aware of recent public pronouncements made by the Police Welfare Association in which there were questions and concerns raised in relation to recent changes within the leadership of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and the related process. The Association in its public pronouncements indicated that it had not received acknowledgment or response to a May 31st letter written to the Public Services Commission in representation of one of its members who the Association says was an applicant for the earlier advertised post of Deputy Commissioner of Police.
The Government of Saint Lucia wants to place on record the fact that the May 31st, 2010 letter from the President of the Police Welfare Association and addressed to the Chairman of the Public Service Commission was responded to by letter dated June 16th, 2010 under the signature of the Chairman of the Commission. In that letter, the Chairman of the Commission informed the Police Welfare Association that the appointment of the two (2) Deputy Commissioners of Police was made in the context of a process of restructuring/re-organizing that is ongoing and began subsequent to the receipt and conclusion of applications for the advertised posts. The letter further advised that the process of restructuring/re-organizing brought about the need for “the appointment of two persons to act in the position of Deputy Commissioner of Police as a matter of urgency.” The letter from the Chairman of the Commission clearly indicated that the appointments were seen as an interim measure. Finally, the Commission in its letter communicated its assurance that the process towards the selection of permanent appointments will be undertaken at the appropriate time.
Government notes that the Police Welfare Association has not communicated publicly the fact that it is in receipt of the letter of June 16th, 2010 referred to above. This is viewed as a possible oversight on the part of the Association. Nonetheless Government is concerned that the recent public pronouncements by the Police Welfare Association may have given rise to public perception that there was a measure of disregard towards the Association and that there may have been something untoward in the process related to the recent appointments in the leadership of the Police Force.
Government assures members of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and the public that it has acted in a responsible manner with respect to the recent appointments within the leadership of the Force. These appointments were undertaken as a matter of urgency and were designed to arrest the occurrences of violent and gun related crime within the City of Castries in particular. Government remains determined to bring about positive changes that will provide our nation with an atmosphere of tranquility, peace and stability. In this regard Government looks forward to the partnership and cooperation of all patriotic Saint Lucians and organizations like the Police Welfare Association.
