Police Commissioner Severein Moncherry.
Amid concerns that the new national security minister is allegedly attempting to influence decisions in the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), the island’s top cop, Severin Moncherry, has given his commitment to ensuring that there is no political interference in the Force.
Mocherry told a meeting attended by senior police officers on Wednesday (August 3) at the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School that he will ensure that this does not happen.
The top cop statement was well received as officers attending that meeting applauded Moncherry who made the statement in front of the minister, Hermangild Francis, who was also present for that meeting.
Francis has however denied interfering with work of the Force stating that he has been performing his ministerial duties and nothing more.
There have been concerns that the minister, a former deputy police chief, is trying to allegedly micro-manage the Force and influence the promotion process.
But Francis said as minister he has only offered his advice to the police commissioner and the senior management team of the Force, based on his own views.
He said persons who deserve promotions are those who are working towards making the Force better.
Francis had told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) in late June that members of the Force are taking advantage of the regulation in relation to promotions.
The regulation states that if an officer acquires a degree or any higher education certificate, he may be eligible for promotion.
“Some persons have catapulted above others and so quickly that it is causing disaffection in the Force,” Francis had said.
The minister had promised to ensure that there is a balance in the system and stated his plans to meet with stakeholders to review the current regulation.
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