At a graduation ceremony held at the Police Training Academy in Vigie, Castries on December 17th, the high command of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force welcomed 78 new police constables to their ranks. This addition to the Force’s human resource capacity, is set to improve their crime-fighting ability.
Recruits were instructed in basic policing, communication and human relations skills before being allowed to graduate. Rigours of discipline were also instilled in them through drilling and deportment sessions.
Inspector Keith Thompson, Commander of the Police Training Academy, encouraged the new officers to put their skills to good use and be positive impacts to their local communities.
“You have the golden opportunity to demonstrate the very best of community policing. Remember not to abuse the power of being a police officer. Always try to be a role model and inspire others like Juju (Julien Alfred) did. Never forget that regardless of all the trials and tribulations, and when no one is looking, it remains your responsibility to protect and serve,” Inspector Thompson charged.
Acting Police Commissioner, Verne Garde, reminded the recruits that they will serve a greater purpose of crime management in Saint Lucia and that each should play a part in maintaining a strong Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.
“I want to invite you to come in and work with us. Work with us for the development of Saint Lucia in line with a good national security environment, and in line with an environment where serious crime is managed, and again in line where we could have good esprit de corps among our members, and in line with us having a good multi-sectoral approach towards the management of crime in general,” Commissioner Garde said.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, who is also the National Security Minister, affirmed his confidence in the integrity of law enforcement personnel and urged the new officers to hold themselves and their colleagues accountable.
“I think the majority of policemen and women are good policemen and women. It’s just a few who are not. But you must call out the few. You must call them out,”Pierre said.
This graduation of recruits forms part of the Pierre Administration’s larger agenda of increased police investment and social programmes for the management of crime.
