St. Lucian Police Chief dismisses criticism

Vernon Francois, Commissioner of Police for St Lucia, has dismissed suggestions that his force is being dictated to by the Government.

Mr. Francois was responding to claims by a popular talk show host, who claimed that police officers are under the control of the current administration.

The talk show host, Claudius Francis, had suggested that at least one senior officer leaked information to criminals.

However, Commissioner Francois said Mr. Francis could have done better service to his country if he had passed on specific information to him.

Mr. Francois also said he heard the talk show host say the Government had operational control of the police force but the Police Commissioner dimissed the suggestion saying it was not true.

"I challenge Mr. Francis to produce his evidence to show operational control. He referred to a list that was submitted to me in particular for promotion of police officers (but) I have never seen such a list and if such a list is ever given to me, dictating promotion in the police department, that would find itself in the garbage. I'm not going to let anybody interfere in the operational running of the police department," Commissioner Francois said.

The police chief has also been meeting with senior officers to finalise a new policing plan to replace the existing document which expires in March next year.

This is to be submitted to the Government for the 2011/2012 budget.

According to Mr. Francois, the document hopes to achieve significant reductions in all types of crime and proposes increased links with the community as well as security vetting of every officer before they are promoted.

(Source: The BBC Caribbean Service)