Castries, St Lucia – January 10, 2024
Police Commissioner Crusita Descartes-Pelius of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has underscored the critical importance of gaining the trust of the public for successful policing. In a news conference held last week, Descartes-Pelius shared insights into the ongoing efforts by the RSLPF to establish and strengthen this trust.
“Trust is important. If we have to solve crime in this country, if we have to make a difference in this country, we have to work with the stakeholders and the public and make sure that there is this trust,” emphasized Descartes-Pelius.
The police commissioner highlighted the direct relationship between public confidence and the flow of information to law enforcement. She stressed that without the trust of the people, the RSLPF would face challenges in gathering crucial information needed for crime-solving.
“We are working very hard to make sure that we can build the trust with the public so we can make our job easier,” added Descartes-Pelius during the press conference.
In an initiative to encourage public participation, the RSLPF launched the Crime Hotline App in November last year, allowing individuals to submit tips anonymously. This step aims to create a secure and confidential channel for citizens to contribute information that can aid law enforcement efforts.
The police commissioner also mentioned ongoing dialogues with local stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in fostering a safer environment. She shared that recent meetings with fifty stakeholders took place as part of this commitment to engage with the community.
Reflecting on the challenging situation of 75 homicides recorded in Saint Lucia in 2023, Descartes-Pelius assured that homicide investigations would not be limited to the year of the offence. The RSLPF is committed to conducting intelligence-led operations, which have proven successful, and enhancing officer training to leverage technology for crime reduction.
