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Contact: John Emmanuel
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Minister for Tourism Hon. Philip J. Pierre |
Tuesday,
September 02, 2003 – Minister for Tourism Honourable Phillip J. Pierre has been
underscoring the intricate linkages between the survival of the tourism industry
and that of national security. The Minister was at the time addressing the
latest batch of Police and Ports recruits who graduated on Friday, August 29,
2003 as part of Course 24 administered by the Police Training School located at
La Toc.
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Police officers graduating |
Minister
Pierre indicated that the greatest challenge to the close to fifty (50) recruits
laid not with inadequate salaries and poor working conditions, although he
pointed out that government, since 1998 had embarked on a series of measures
aimed at improving physical working conditions for law enforcement officers, via
the refurbishment or construction of new police stations. The biggest challenge
he said would be the prevailing environment in society, which officers would
have to contend with. “Let me suggest to you that the straight road is the best
road,” he pointed out.
“Remember that some of your partners on the block will test your fortitude,
threaten, ridicule and tempt you in an effort to test your resolve. If you fall
to these temptations you may benefit in the short run but your self respect will
disappear and then you will become useless as a police officer.”
According to Minister Pierre, who also holds the portfolio for Commerce,
Investment and Consumer Affairs, the police play a critical role in support of
the tourism industry and will be called upon even more in light of post
September 11. Locally tourism contributes between 11 – 12% of Gross Domestic
Product (GDP), provides 50% of the island’s foreign exchange earnings and
employs 20% of the labour force. With $28 million being invested to promoting
the industry, Ministry Pierre said proper security was key to its survival.
“With the increase in the use of the internet and technologies that make
communication easier, bad news travel faster and to more people than before. It
we agree with the theory that tourism is a large part of our economy and local
security is important, then we can postulate that criminal activity is indeed an
attack on the economy of our country. Police officers are guardians of the peace
and are therefore the main defenders of our economic fortunes,” he said.
Thirty-five (35) of the recruits will be deployed to the Police Force while
thirteen (13) will go to the St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority. Acting
Police Commissioner Ausbert Regis called upon the recruits to carry out their
assigned duties with the greatest professional integrity in keeping with the
high standards currently being set by the police force and demanded by the
public.
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