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Contact:
Claudia Monlouis
Monday, February 24, 2003 - A new approach will soon be implemented
within the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force to bring an end to the abuse and
misuse of Police vehicles.
Speaking at the formal handing over of a brand new fleet of 15 Kia vehicles to
the Force on Friday, Minister for Justice, Honourable Senator Petrus Compton,
announced that stern measures will be instituted in an effort to ensure that the
lawmen safeguard the vehicles and encourage them to practice better management
of all vehicles assigned to the Force.
Senator Compton went on to add that officers will be held answerable to a
special authority within the force. “I am very pleased to tell you that a week
or two ago I chaired a meeting with the Commissioner, some senior officers and
members of the Ministry of Justice at which we took certain decisions which will
relate to these vehicles and any other vehicles coming into the force,” said
Compton. Senator Compton explained “We will appoint what we call a fleet
manager. That is a person who will be given certain responsibilities and certain
powers in relation to how the entire fleet of vehicles and motor cycles will be
managed. We’ve also agreed to establish a fleet advisory management committee;
that is a team of senior officers, unit heads, and divisional heads, unit heads,
who will advise the fleet manager on all matters pertaining to the use of
vehicles. There will be very clear operating procedures, there will be very
clear regulations as to how vehicles in the police force will be used and
managed.”
According to Compton there will be very clear penalties for those who infringe
on the rules. He also called on the public to “watch out” for those vehicles
which are really the property of the nation and to report any instances of abuse
and misuse of the police vehicles.
Police Commissioner Brian Bernard said that the new vehicles which came out of a
request made by the government of Saint Lucia to the government of South Korea
on the behalf of the Force are expected to increase the capacity of the force to
respond to emergencies and to patrol more effectively.
Among officials on hand to witness the handing over, was Permanent Secretary in
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cosmos Richardson who expressed the government’s
gratitude to the government and people of South Korea. Northwest Saint Lucia
Ltd. the agents for Kia, was also acknowledged for facilitating the arrival of
the vehicles.
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