Castries, Saint Lucia: Prime Minister of Saint Lucia- Philip J Pierre, presented the Suppression of Escalated Crime (Police Powers) Bill in the Lower House of Parliament on March 16, 2023. The Bill will provide expanded powers to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force to tackle criminal activities.
PM Philip J Pierre took to Facebook and stated that the Bill is designed to strengthen the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force so that the country and its citizens can lead a secure life.
PM Pierre added, “Yesterday, March 16 2023, we introduced the Suppression of Escalated Crime (Police Powers) Bill in the Lower House of Parliament to provide the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force with expanded powers to respond to areas where crime has escalated.”
The Suppression of Escalated Crime (Police Powers) Bill is a legal instrument that establishes a framework to preserve public order, public safety, and economic stability in Saint Lucia. The Police Powers Bill authorizes the National Security Minister, on the advice of the Commissioner of Police, to designate an area affected by high crime rates as an escalated crime area.
The Bill received unanimous support from government legislators and went through the Committee stage with amendments, and was passed in the Lower House.
Summary convictions for offences made under the Police Powers Bill attract fines not exceeding XCD 50 000 or imprisonment terms not exceeding 15 years or both. Convictions on indictment for offences made under the Police Powers Act attract prison terms not exceeding 25 years.
“We will continue to implement the strategies that we have presented to uphold law and order and to legally eliminate threats to the stability and security of Saint Lucia’s peace-loving communities,” said the prime minister.
On March 18, 2023, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre also extended gratitude to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and lauded their efforts to ensure the safety and security of the country. He also appealed to them to redouble their efforts to secure the streets of Saint Lucia.
