Vernon Fracois. Photo credit: nationnews.com.
PRESS RELEASE - The Royal St.Lucia Police Force will seek to continue to build on its record of outstanding community engagement in 2015.
Commissioner of Police Mr. Philip Vernon Francois in his end of year message ushered members of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force into the New Year, with words of encouragement and recognition for the hard work which had been undertaken throughout the course of 2014.
The commissioner also made an appeal for errant officers to fall in line or face disciplinary actions.
According to the commissioner’s statement, “We were able to exceed our target of quarterly community town hall meetings with the commissioner and senior level officials of the force.”
“Community town hall meetings were convened in Micoud, Soufriere, Laborie, Grace and La Resource, Dennery. The community town hall meetings provide the executive of the Force and locally based officers with the opportunity to interact with various communities around the island.”
In terms of crime reduction the police commissioner says there was a reduction in major categories of crimes such as Murders, Burglary, Sexual Offences, Stealing of motor vehicles and Firearm offences. The commissioner says that a downward trend in murders which began in 2010 has continued.
Commissioner Francois also commended the public for working together with the police in the upholding of the law. Mr. Francois emphasized that citizens cannot allow criminals to hinder and impede the safety of the public nor visitors to the island.