Combat Rescue Officer Capt. Travis Shepard, center, conducts checks on rappelling harnesses to members of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force’s Special Service Unit on June 1, 2009, during a subject matter expert exchange on mountaineering and high angle recovery rescue procedures during Operation Southern Partner, La Toc, St. Lucia.

The United States (US) Government has said it will remove sanctions on the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RLPF) when the Government of Saint Lucia has shown “evidence” that the Force has corrected its human rights violations,  according to Yolonda Kerney, the US Embassy Bridgetown’s public affairs officer and Embassy spokesperson.

Kerney made the remarks in response to questions submitted to the US Embassy in Barbados by St. Lucia News Online (SNO), inquiring about news last week that an officer involved in the Operation Restore Confidence (ORC) task force – which is accused of extra-judicial killings – was prevented from travelling to the US.

According to the senior law enforcement source, who requested anonymity, the police officer was scheduled to attend a family event in New York, but when he checked in with the airline on August 5, he was told he couldn’t travel based on instructions from the US Embassy.

The cop was advised to contact the US Embassy for more information, the source added.

“The officer noted that while at the airport he saw another police officer who was travelling to the US and he had no problems,” the source added.

SNO inquired from the US whether the officer in question was barred due to his involvement in ORC and whether the names of officers involved in ORC were submitted to the US government.

In response, Kerney said: “The U.S. Embassy does not comment on the interview process, issuance, status, or revocation of visas. As Prime Minister Anthony noted in his March 2015 address on IMPACS report, the Government of the United States of America did invoke provisions of the Leahy Law following the publication of its 2011 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in St. Lucia.”

Kerney continued: “In 2014, Prime Minister Anthony announced that the IMPACS team would investigate allegations of unlawful police killings as outlined in the 2011 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in St. Lucia. Upon review of the IMPACS report, Prime Minister Anthony characterized the findings of the report as “extremely damning,” and noted that the IMPACS investigators recommended that “All police officers involved in the unlawful killings of citizens in respect of the files reviewed must be prosecuted.”

The spokesperson added: “The Government of the United States of America will rescind Leahy Law sanctions when it has evidence that the Government of St. Lucia has taken all necessary corrective steps.”

The Leahy Law is a US human rights law – named after its main sponsor Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont – that prohibits the US Department of State and Department of Defense from providing military assistance to foreign military units that violate human rights with impunity, according to Wikipedia.

SNO also contacted the Press Office of the RSLPF about the officer’s travel restrictions but was told that the Commissioner of Police will not comment on the issue.

Meanwhile, the police officer, who was denied entry last week, is the third known member of the RSLPF to have been denied entry to the US.

The visa of former Deputy Commissioner of Police Moses Charles, who was in charge of operations when the alleged extra judicial killings occurred, was revoked.

Commissioner of Police Vernon Francois, who is now being retired from the Force,  was denied entry to the US to attend security meetings with officials of the United States, though his visa was not revoked.

ABOUT ORC

Between 2010 and 2011, 12 persons were killed during encounters with officers of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. The alleged extra-judicial killings occurred during “Operation Restore Confidence” – an initiative then Prime Minister Stephenson King announced on May 30, 2010 in an address to the nation.

The police operation was in response to an unprecedented wave of homicides and violent crimes between 2008 and 2010, particularly in the northern half of the island.

However the shootings resulted in a backlash for St. Lucia. The United States (US), citing human rights concerns, took action against the St. Lucia police force and the government.

The US ceased all financial and technical assistance to the St. Lucia Coast Guard. In addition, the Government of St. Lucia was banned from purchasing ammunition from the US for its American-made weapons.

Members of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force could no longer participate in any training programme sponsored or financed by the United States. Police officers were also denied participation in training activities in the Regional Security System (RSS), once the training programme was sponsored or financed by the United States.

Responding to the US sanctions, the government secured, through the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the services of a team of investigators from the Jamaican Constabulary Force to investigate all instances of alleged “extra judicial killings” by members of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.

The team comprised eight investigators including a ballistic expert, a legal advisor, a data entry specialist, a cyber-crime analyst, and detective investigators.

In a 27-minute address to the nation on March 8, 2015,  Prime Minister Anthony  released the main findings of the IMPACS investigation, confirming that the force worked from a “black list or death list” of persons deemed criminals and officers staged all shooting-death sites to legitimise their actions.

Prime Minister Anthony said the report of the investigators are “extremely damning” and “brings home the extreme gravity of this matter”. He said these findings relate not only to those officers who were involved in the operations, but members of the “high command of the police force” who may have been involved in “covering up these matters”.

Dr. Anthony explained: “The report confirms that the black list or death list referenced by the media, human rights organisations, victims, families and citizens alike did exist. More alarmingly, the investigators report that all the shootings reviewed were fake encounters staged by the police to legitimise their actions.”

(5)(0)

Police have charged a resident of Dennery in connection with the death of a well-known homeless man, suspected to be the victim of a hit-and-run accident.

Dominic Emmanuel of Victoria Street, Dennery was charged on Saturday, August 8, 2015 with causing the death of 53-year-old Albert Sampson, better known as Bookuh, of no fixed address.

Sampson’s body, with severe injuries to the head, was discovered on Errad Road in Dennery on August 1, 2015 at around 5:30 a.m.

Police suspect he was the victim of a hit-and-run accident.

“There appeared to be a brake impression leading to the body,” police said in a press release.

Residents had told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that an unknown vehicle ran over ‘Bookuh’ and did not stop.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel was granted station bail and is scheduled to appear in the Dennery District Court on Monday, August 10.

(0)(0)

Cheryl Clarke (left) and Yanna Auguste

Police have still not made any breakthrough in the violent deaths of three women this year: Cheryl Clarke, Yanna Auguste and Samdai Fraser.

A senior police official told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that in the Auguste case “we’re hoping that sometime soon we will have something”.

The officer said Auguste’s case is still being treated as a homicide. Initially, police were summoned to the scene of a vehicular accident.

Regarding Fraser’s death, SNO was told that there have been no good leads so far.

Clarke’s case has not yielded any results either, and also remains cold.

However, in all three cases, the official said investigations are continuing.

Samdai Fraser’s home.

The 51-year-old Clarke was shot multiple times at the intersection of Broglie and Brazil Street, Castries, shortly after midnight on June 26, 2015. Clarke of Bexon Castries.

At the scene police officers discovered an abandoned vehicle with what appeared to be a bullet hole in the driver’s door and bullet holes in the driver’s seat.

A post mortem examination revealed that Clarke died as a result of hemorrhagic shock due to multiple gunshot wounds to the abdomen.

The semi-nude body of Auguste, a 32-year-old resident of Reduit, Gros-Islet, was found at the bottom of Anse Chastanet Hill in Soufriere on July 13, 2015, near a partially submerged Suzuki Swift motor car.

Auguste’s body, clad only in underwear, was found on the rocks, near the wreckage, with head injuries. A post mortem examination revealed that she died as a result of physical trauma and asphyxia.

Two men who were being questioned in connection with her death have been released.

Meanwhile, Fraser, the mother of a police officer, was found by her husband at her house in Cedar Heights, Vieux-Fort on July 20, 2015.

The 59-year-old was found lying face-down in a pool of blood, with a rope around her neck and plastic bag around her mouth and neck.

Her face had apparently been slammed to the floor of her home, police officials have said.

It is believed that Fraser may have walked in on a burglary in progress and knew her killers very well.

Reports are that several items were missing from her home: two cell phones, one 32-inch TCL television, one iPad and one Play Station 3 game consoles.

Police believe that more than one person is responsible for the brutal murder.

A post mortem examination concluded that she died of asphyxia.

(1)(3)

Howard ‘Howie’ Gibson. Photo: Facebook

PRESS RELEASE – Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspected drowning death of 40 year old, Howard Gibson of Hibiscus Lane, Entrepot, Castries.

The body of Gibson was recovered off the coast of Vigie Beach, Castries by officers attached to the Marine Unit.

He was transported to the Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

A post mortem examination will be conducted later this week.

Investigations continue into this matter.

(4)(0)

A Dennery man charged in connection with the hit-and-run death of a homeless man was granted $5,000 bail or suitable surety when he appeared in the First District Court on Monday.

On Saturday, August 8, 2015, police formally charged 63-year-old Dominic Emmanuel, also known as “Disco” of Victoria Street, Dennery for the offences of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident within 24 hours.

Emmanuel was also ordered to surrender all travel documents.

The hit-and-run accident claimed the life of 51-year-old Albert Sampson, also known as Bookuh, on Saturday, August 1, 2015.

(0)(2)

“Know you laws” is a production of the Press Office of the Royal St Lucia Police Force.

Definition of Threat

In this Code, unless the context otherwise requires, “threat” means
(a) any threat of criminal force or harm;
(b) any threat of criminal damage to property;
(c) any threat of libel or slander;
(d) any threat that a person shall be prosecuted on a charge of having committed any offence, whether such alleged offence is punishable under this Code or under any other law, and whether it has or has not been committed.

Section 543 of the Criminal Code of Saint Lucia

THREATENING WORDS OR GESTURES

A person who—
(a) utters to or at any other person any threatening words or gestures or behaviour; or
(b) in any public way or public place, utters any threatening words to or concerning any other person,
is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $1,000.

Section 544 of the Criminal Code of Saint Lucia

THREAT OF DEATH BY WRITING

A person who by writing, threatens—
(a) another person with death or grievous harm;
(b) the commission of arson or any indictable offence under Part 1,
…is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for 2 years.

Section 545 of the Criminal Code of Saint Lucia

THREAT OF HARM WITH INTENT TO PUT IN FEAR

A person who threatens any other person with unlawful harm, with intent to put that person in fear of unlawful harm, is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for one year.

This has been “Know Your Laws”. We at the Royal Saint Lucia Police force encourage the citizenry to read and study the laws which governs our society. Never forget that knowledge is power.

(4)(0)

A computerized tomography (CT) scan has shown that a bullet is still lodged in the head of Nicholas William, relatives have told St Lucia News Online (SNO).

The 20-year-old Morne Du Don, Castries resident was shot in the head last Thursday in Bois Patat, Castries, shortly after 10 p.m.

Nicholas was treated and discharged from Victoria Hospital around mid-morning Friday, less than 12 hours after he was shot.

Relatives said they were told that there is nothing else they could do about Nicholas’s wounds, and upon discharging him, gave a list of the symptoms of head trauma and what to expect, while advising the family to return to the hospital if his condition worsens.

Nicholas was brought back to the hospital on Friday afternoon at about 5:30  – about five hours after his release – when his health deteriorated.

A CT scan was done on Nicholas at Tapion Hospital later that night and the results were obtained yesterday (Monday).

The victim’s sister, Shala William, told SNO that the scan shows that the bullet is lodged in the back of her brother’s head.

“I spoke to my sister. She says the doctor told her where it (the bullet) is, it can’t harm him.” she said.

But the family is puzzled as to why the hospital discharged Nicholas without a CT scan.

“I’m saying if the doctor knew it can’t be removed why we were not told about it. I don’t think they want to remove it… They say it can’t harm him,” Shala said. “We have to find out out from different specialists to see what can be done.”

The family initially believed the bullet was removed.

“When he was discharged, he was vomiting and in pain. When we brought him back, they ordered the scan to be done. We were not told the results. My sister went to Tapion and that’s how we found out. Yes, they said it was under the skin. My brother thought it was removed,” Shala added.

The family is hoping to get better info later today.

On the night of the shooting, Nicholas was reportedly listening to music on his headphones, under a tree, when gunmen fired several shots in his direction. The perpetrators carried out the attack from the back of the victims.

While two other males ran after the shots were fired, Nicholas didn’t, because according to his sister, he didn’t hear anything.

Nicholas fell after being shot in the head. He sustained bruises to his face as a result of the fall.

That shooting occurred just over an hour after gunmen opened fire on two young males in nearby Blackstars. One of the victims, Curtis Charlery, 18, of Morne Du Don died, while he other, Armani Paul, was admitted in critical condition.

(3)(1)

A new regulation, where a person driving a motor vehicle is required to produce a license on demand to a traffic officer, has been met with numerous criticisms.

Former Works Minister Guy Joseph has also joined the list of persons, who are not in support of this new requirement, which has been described as “ridiculous.”

Joseph has dubbed the new regulation as “unfair”, accusing the Ministry of Transport of being unable to deliver drivers licenses on time.

The former minister also claims that the licence office had ran out of material to produce the licenses, so that it takes people more than a week to get their driver’s license.

Some persons believe that every citizen should not have to suffer the consequences based on the actions of a few people that abused the 48 hours window period.

One of our readers said, “Why not refine and upgrade the current system? Give the traffic officers the technology they need to do their work efficiently, not ridiculous draconian laws to enforce.”

But another reader also said,” I have a license and I keep it together with my insurance document in the glove compartment. I have a national ID so I have no reason to take out my driver’s license from the glove compartment. We are sometimes too irresponsible. We have to learn the hard way.”

The Ministry of Transport said in a statement on Tuesday that the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act (2006) gives a traffic officer the authority to request that a person driving a motor vehicle produces a driver’s license for examination.

Failure to comply could result in a fine not exceeding $ 1000.00 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three (3) months, according to the statement.

The statement continues: “publication of Statutory Instrument (SI) 46 of May 2015, violation of section 85 in the Motor vehicles and Road Traffic Act has been made a ticketable offense.”

The fine that this offense now attracts will not exceed $250.00 as opposed to the previous $1000.00.

The ministry also reminded that failing to wear a seatbelt or improper parking are also ticketable.

(0)(0)

Left to right: Lionel. Emmanuel and Nelson.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) said five persons have been arrested and formally charged in connection with five separate homicides that occurred at different periods of this year.

At a special police conference called to discuss the crime statistics for the first half of 2015, it was revealed that significant progress has been made in these five cases.

Crime Chief Milton Desir could not state who these persons are, but provided the names of the victims: Tennyson Lionel, Keithbert Albert, Mary Dupree, Asha Emmanuel and James Alexander Nelson.

Tennyson Lionel, who is better known as “10 Cents” was shot and killed on Thursday, July 30 in Castries, hours after celebrating his 35th birthday.

A post mortem examination revealed that he died from brain damage secondary to gunshot wounds.

Keithbert Albert of La Fargue, Choiseul sustained a stab wound during an altercation with his step father at La Fargue, Choiseul. He subsequently died.

On Monday, May 11, 2015 a post mortem examination revealed that Albert died as a result of hemorrhagic shock secondary to stab wound to the right side of chest.

Meanwhile, Asha Emmanuel also known as BJ was shot and killed off Chaussee Road on April 7.

James Alexander Nelson, 43, of Calvary Road, Castries was also shot and killed in the same area on April 9.

It is speculated that Nelson is close friends with Emmanuel.

There are rumors that Nelson was a witness in Emmanuel’s shooting and that the gunmen wanted to silence him.

(5)(4)

Oliver Gobat.

Police officials said that investigations into the death of hotelier Oliver Gobat remain active and they are hoping to bring some closure to this high-profile murder.

It was revealed at a police press conference today (August 14) that the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) is receiving assistance from the British government in this case.

Crime Chief Milton Desir told a media conference that local police are now awaiting the results of an analysis, which is being conducted in the United Kingdom (UK).

It is not clear how soon the force could receive the analysis, but this could lead to an arrest and possible prosecution of an individual or individuals, who might be responsible for Gobat’s murder.

The British government had long expressed an interest in assisting local police with the investigations, but said they cannot examine cases where a suspect could face the death penalty.

The death penalty had not been applied in St Lucia for 19 years, but it has not abandoned.

This statement was met with several criticisms and Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony was also not supportive of the request to waive the death penalty for this case.

However, an inquest into Gobat’s death commenced in Surrey, United Kingdom on March 26, 2015 and was heard at the Woking Coroner’s Court. It is not clear whether the inquest has been completed.

Oliver’s parents have been pushing for foreign assistance. They have even doubled a reward offer of £120,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of suspects in his killing.

The family has already employed a forensic team from the UK to assist with the investigation.

Oliver Gobat’s body was found in his Range Rover on Cap Estate on April 25, 2014 burnt beyond recognition.

(25)(0)

A picture of the stolen vehicle.

A car was stolen from a resident of Ciceron sometime between 9:00 p.m. Wednesday and 1:30 a.m. Thursday.

Reports are that the Subaru impreza was parked close to the Castries South Constituency office.

The owner is appealing to persons to look out for his car, which bears registration number PK 5840.

Persons with information are asked to make contact with the police or Wendell on 713-0548.

(0)(0)

Lambirds Academy students protest.

The Lambirds Academy case could take a new twist, as police officials have revealed that more charges are likely to be laid against persons involved in the scam.

While the officials did not divulge any further details as to what these charges could be and the persons likely to be indicted, they noted that this should occur sometime soon.

The police are now awaiting word from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) office in this matter.

When questioned as to whether any government official isbeing treated as a person of interest in the case, the police said they would not be able to provide any such details at this time.

The Ministry for Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs office was searched for a second time by police on Thursday, July 23, as part of this investigation.

This was confirmed by subject Minister Emma Hippolyte, who did not comment further on the issue.

According to reports, the police had threatened to break down the minister’s door on March 24, 2015 after being refused entry into her office, while she was at parliament.

It was reported that two employees from her office were questioned and made sworn statements to the police. These same employees were expected to appear in court.

Hippolyte had said her ministry is cooperating fully with the police on this matter. This message was also conveyed to Minister of National Security Victor La Cobiniere and the Commissioner of Police.

The indictable charges of human trafficking and money laundering were read to the defendants, including the defunct institution’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Iftekhar Shams.

Four Asian men are facing money laundering and human trafficking charges in relation to the scam: Kumar BatukbhaiChadasama, Ashwin Kanji Patel, and Gurjeet Singh Vilkhu.

(3)(1)

Police officers were called to put peace in the city of Castries at about 2 p.m. today.

Reports are that one of two men involved in a scuffle pulled out a cutlass from a backpack he was carrying.

However, police officers patrolling the very busy Jeremie Street, ‎close to the Castries market, were on time to stop what could have been a fatal incident.

No arrest was made.

The officer confiscated the cutlass from the man who claimed that he was a landscaper.

(2)(6)

Video image of the perp in the store.

A businesswoman is hoping to catch a man who stole a cell phone from her store on Clarke Street, Vieux Fort yesterday.

The owner of Audrey’s Boutique said the man, dressed in multi-coloured clothing, stole a purple-coloured Samsung S5 that was in a pink case shortly after 5 p.m.

The thief was caught on camera taking the phone.

The store owner told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that she saw when the man entered the store, but he looked around for about five minutes and left without buying anything.

“He was asking about some shorts, to see different colours, and asking prices,” she said.

No other customers were in the store at the time. The store owner and two employees were present.

“When he was leaving the girl noticed the pink case in his pocket, so she told me if that’s not my phone. By the time I went to check he was gone. I went outside but I didn’t see which direction he went,” the store owner told SNO.

The perpetrator is not a familiar face.

“I have never seen him before.”

Describing the alleged thief, the businesswoman said: “He had a purple and yellow cap with a ‘S’ in the front. A pink backpack on his back and a small black one across his side. He had about three silver rings, one of then had like a small green gem stone in it; blue-cloth pants, not jeans material; white sneakers, and his shirt has purple, yellow, orange, black – mutli-colored.”

(6)(1)

PRESS RELEASE – Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia has observed with much horror recent increases in reported and unreported cases of rape; while we worry for the safety of woman and girls and offer support and counselling, we are concerned with the lack of action by public institutions mandated to counsel, investigate and ultimately bring to justice perpetrators of such heinous crimes against women and girls.

As a nation we have failed our women by not educating MEN NOT TO RAPE, instead we insists on telling women they must be careful, they must cover-up and they must not behave in a manner that leads to rape. This has resulted in victims of rape being further victimized by the very organisations and their employees who are to provide support to victims of rape.

Men rape because of the “I can get away with it” attitude, the weak judicial system, the society that sits pretty not making noise, men rape because of the way we bring up our male child, we do not teach men how to treat women with respect.

Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia calls on all to speak up when a father does not treat a mother right, speak up, when a brother does not treat his sister right; speak up, when a boyfriend does not treat his girlfriend right.

Hunger for power over the weaker sex is at the centre of why men rape, everyone loves power, so do rapists. Our message to men “if you truly wish to experience power, exercise power over yourself” as only the weak try and control others, the strong exercises self-control. Let us all raise our voices to stop rape.

(10)(0)

Severin Monchery Ag. Deputy Commissioner of Police

A senior police official said he fully supports having a police officer investigate his colleague for wrong doings, but this does not mean he is not open to the idea of having an independent body to do this.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Severin Moncherry who appeared on a television talk show dubbed Police Insight aired on MBC Television on Sunday said the current system works.

“I see no reason why police officers should not investigate the police,” he opined.

The Police Complaints Commission is currently responsible for investigating these complaints.

However, Moncherry said he would also support the establishment of an independent body to investigate complaints out of concern about ‘public perception.’

The senior police official noted also that in order for this body to be established, legislative framework will have to be put in place.

To support his argument that the current system is working, Moncherry said 7 police officers have been charged with criminal offences to date and are currently on suspension.

He said there is also record to prove that several police officers have been arrested and convicted for various crimes.

(0)(0)

AIMU Gros-Islet campus.

As part of ongoing investigations into the operation of offshore medical institutions here, the police conducted searches at the American International Medical University (AIMU) today.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) has received reports that the police are investigating the legitimacy of the persons involved with the institution, which could possibly lead to arrests.

AIMU’s website says it is accredited by the Ministry of Education, Saint Lucia and its curriculum and academic programs are prepared and monitored by specialists of Medical Councils, including Medical School Accreditation Approval and Monitoring Committee, ECFMG, and the Medical Council of India.

The university boasts a 95 percent pass rate in medical licensing, a 100 percent pass rate in nursing and a six percent financial aid ratio for students.

The police have been on high alert ever since the Lambirds Academy scam.

Four Indian men are now facing human trafficking and money laundering charges.The men are accused of defrauding dozens of Asian students.

(7)(7)

PRESS RELEASE – “Know you laws” is a production of the Press Office of the Royal St Lucia Police Force.

Did You Know ?

ANONYMITY OF COMPLAINANT AND ACCUSED

(Section 138 of the Criminal Code of Saint Lucia 2008)

(1) After a person is charged with an offence under this Sub-Part (Sexual Offences) , any matter that is likely to lead members of the public to identify a person as the complainant or as the accused in relation to that charge shall not be published in a written publication or be broadcast in this State except—

(a) if, on the application of the complainant or the accused, the Court directs that the effect of the restriction is to impose a substantial and unreasonable restriction on the reporting of proceedings and that it is in the public interest to remove the restriction in respect of the applicant; or

(b) in the case of the accused, after the person has been tried and convicted of the offence.

(2) A person who publishes or broadcasts any matter in contravention of subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for 3 years.

(3) The person referred to in subsection (2) is in the case of—

(a) a publication in a newspaper or periodical, any proprietor, editor or publisher of the newspaper or periodical;

(b) any other publication, the person who published;

(c) a broadcast by a body corporate which transmits or provides the programme in which the broadcast is made,the person having functions in relation to the programme corresponding to those of an editor or publisher of a newspaper.

(4) In subsection (1)—

“Accused” means—

(a) a person named in an information alleging that the person has committed the offence;

(b) a person who appears before the Court charged with the offence;

“Complainant” in relation to a person accused of an offence includes the person against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed.

This has been “Know Your Laws”. We at the Royal Saint Lucia Police force encourage the citizenry to read and study the laws which governs our society. Never forget that knowledge is power.

(0)(0)

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has launched a new initiative dubbed “Preserve and Protect” which aims to garner the public’s support in helping to preserve crime scenes.

As part of the initiative, one thousand bookmarks will be distributed to citizens across the island, which contain ten tips on how to avoid contaminating crime scenes.

These tips include: leaving burglary scenes undisturbed and avoid showering in cases of sexual assault, among others.

This initiative will help to educate citizens through these bookmarks, so that they can make the right decisions, if they experience or witness any of these crimes.

It was emphasised at the launch that it is important to preserve crime scenes, to avoid contamination of forensic evidence.

Crime increased by nine percent in the first six months of the year, according to statistics released Friday by the RSLPF.

While the detection rate has increased from 52 percent last year to 56 percent this year, there is still need for improvements.

(2)(1)

Saint Lucia Forensic Laboratory

The closure of the forensic lab at Tapion has affected the ability of the Police Force to move forward with a number of serious crimes, according to Crime Chief Milton Desir.

Desir said that his unit would have sent samples to be tested, but because of the closure of the lab, they have not been able to get anyway with most of these cases.

This includes the Oliver Gobat murder and countless others that have not yet been solved.

The lab was reportedly short on material to conduct forensic tests, which initially caused operations to slow down at the facility. It was later shut down and remains closed for the past three months.

The government had initially said that the closure would last for one week. Nothing has been said about the closure, except reports of plans to conduct an audit of the facility.

According to reports, a request was made by the administration of the Forensic Laboratory, to obtain finances from government, in order to purchase the materials that are needed.

The facility which was established in 2009 has six units – a Chemistry Unit, Toxicology Unit, Biology Unit, Trace Evidence Unit, DNA Testing Unit and Crime Scene Support & Training.

In May last year, National Security Minister, Victor La Cobiniere publicly defended the operation of the facility, despite several persons have argued that it is not delivering and dubbed it “inefficient.”

(0)(3)