History of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force

History and Role of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force

• Originated from the British Police System, reflecting its evolution through three stages.
• First Stage (870-1370): Local policing system relying on community members to maintain peace.
• Second Stage (1195): Appointment of Justices of the Peace by the Crown to adjudicate cases and enforce laws.
• Third Stage (1829): Establishment of the Metropolitan Police by Sir Robert Peel, marking the formalization of policing as a full-time profession.

Peel's Nine Principles of Policing

• Core mission is the prevention of crime and disorder.
• Police legitimacy relies on public approval of their actions.
• Public cooperation is essential for effective law observance.
• Use of physical force by police should be minimized and only when necessary.
• Police should serve impartially and not be swayed by public opinion.
• Physical force is a last resort when persuasion fails.
• The police-public relationship emphasizes that police are community members dedicated to public service.
• Actions should be confined to policing roles without overstepping judicial powers.
• Police effectiveness is measured by the absence of crime rather than visible police presence.

History of Policing in St. Lucia

• 1831: Establishment of a Charter of Justice and creation of a Court of Police.
• 1834: Formation of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force; initially headed by an Inspector with limited personnel.
• 1891: Title of Chief of Police introduced by J. Jukes-Hughes.
• Post-WWII: Head of the Force upgraded to Senior Superintendent; workforce grew.
• 1946: Major E.O. Plunkett reports on challenges in recruitment, with local youths drawn to other employment opportunities.
• Crime in 1946 included 1,923 reports but no murders; communication and transport were major issues for policing.

Royal St. Lucia Police Training School

• 1947: Training for local police began; initial sessions held near Police Headquarters.
• Notable instructors included Staff Sergeant Gregg and Corporal Monlouis.
• Training moved locations due to the 1948 Castries Fire, eventually shifting to Beanfield and then to current premises.
• 1956: St. Lucia ceased local recruit training, with officers trained in Barbados until a local training facility was established in 1981 due to demand.
• Leadership Changes: David Douglas Mc Goun became the leader in 1956, with the formation of the Special Reserve that year.

Royal St. Lucia Police Force Developments

• 1966: Title “Royal” added after a visit from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
• Samuel H. Brooks was the first Commissioner of Police from outside St. Lucia.
• Stanley Clement Scholar became the first St. Lucian Commissioner in 1972.
• 1984: Introduction of a Marine Unit with the acquisition of the vessel "Defender" for coast guard duties.
• 1986: Marine Unit expansion faced challenges, including the destruction of the vessel "Helen II" by fire.
• 1988: Commission of Inquiry into the police force's administration and discipline led by Karl Hudson-Phillips.