Top ranking police calls for uniting forces against criminal activity

Thursday, April 29, 2010 – The Officer in Charge of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, ACP Vernon Francois, has called for a united approach towards addressing the country's crime problems.

ACP Francois says all citizens, political organisations, and religious groups, must take responsibility for the increasing crime which is claiming the lives of several young people, while forcing other citizens in a state of fear.

Mr. Francois made the comments at the launch of a community policing initiative in Anse La Raye on the 27^th of April.

“If you look at the level of crime we have been experiencing in this country, it speaks volumes to the fact that all right thinking Saint Lucians need to take a stand against the few criminals amongst us. We need to understand that as a community we are in the majority, so instead of blaming each other, we need to join forces and work together to deal with the problem of crime that we face in this country.”

ACP Francios says, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force must also continue to improve and strengthen its relationship with communities in order to realise successes in the fight against crime.

He says the police also need to develop community consultative groups to better execute the mandate of community policing.

“At the station level, we have established community liaison officers in each station with the dedicated functions of liaising with the community, going to the schools and speaking with the youth to encourage closer interaction between the police and the community.”

Meantime, Commissioner of Police, Ausbert Regis resumes his duties on Monday the 3^rd of May, paving the way for ACP Francois to resume responsibility for crime and intelligence.

ACP Francois says law enforcement will continue to be innovative in an effort to combat the crime situation and restore peace throughout Saint Lucia.

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