Officers on parade at Friday’s event.
Officers within the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) have been urged to educate themselves on police laws, particularly those pertaining to excessive force.
Deputy Police Commissioner Errol Alexander told the first quarterly Commissioner’s Parade for 2014 last Friday (Mar. 28), that they need to make an effort to familiarise themselves with Standing Orders within the Police Act.
He told attendees that while police are allowed to use some force, they should be careful in using excess power when dealing with citizens.
Police brutality is an issue which has surfaced in St. Lucia from time to time, with recent media reports pointing to individuals allegedly being shot and hit by police “for no substantial reason,” as some victims have claimed.
Errol Alexander
Meanwhile, Alexander not only called for officers to acquaint themselves with the other aspects of the law but also took the opportunity to commend officers who have performed their duties with distinction – many of whom were awarded at the parade and others promoted to higher ranks within the force.
The Commissioner’s Parade was held at the Police Academy at La Toc, Castries.
Among its major aims is to “reward police officers, who have performed commendably throughout the quarter, in an effort to boost their morale.”
Various officers within the different departments, stations and units of the RSLPF were recognized for outstanding work while long serving members were presented with Long Service Medals.
The ceremony ended with a parade along the city’s streets and ended at the police headquarters on Bridge Street.