Addressing the opening ceremony for the recruitment of Course No. 39 of the RSLPF, the Prime Minister announced the recruitment and deployment of 80 new police officers. The ceremony included Course No. 1 of the Bordelais Correctional Facility with 17 recruits and the Castries City Constabulary Force with 20 new officers.
The additional personnel come at a time when the island faces growing concerns over violent crime, particularly gun-related incidents and gang activity.
According to the Prime Minister, these new officers form part of a broader strategy aimed at building a more robust and responsive police presence across the country. Their deployment is expected to ease the burden on existing officers and enhance policing in high-risk areas.
“We have trained over 50 Rangers and more than 20 members of the emergency services, including the fire service. The government is investing, and later this week we will be commissioning two new ambulances. In total, we are committing over nine million US dollars to improve the fire and emergency services.”
The Prime Minister also noted that the government has made substantial improvements to police infrastructure and working conditions, emphasising that it is now the responsibility of the police leadership and rank-and-file officers to fulfil their mandate.
“Our pledge to improve the conditions under which our officers serve has been honoured. What is left now is for the police high command and the members of the force to do their share and to do their duty.”
Minister for Crime Prevention Jeremiah Norbert also addressed the new recruits, urging them to recognize the gravity of their responsibility in an era marked by increasingly complex criminal threats and heightened public expectations.
“You have chosen to serve at a time when policing is more demanding than ever. Serve with pride, professionalism, and humility. The public is watching, and they expect nothing less than excellence.”
Authorities hope that the increased manpower will translate into greater visibility on the streets, faster response times, and more effective crime prevention and investigation.