The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has slapped several charges on one male individual in relation to the May 6 altercation between police officers and a group of individuals at Union. Speaking on the incident on May 7, Acting Police Commissioner Milton Desir stated that officers were “addressing a situation of social distancing and a party in progress.” He said that the matter was under investigation and applauded his officers for remaining calm.
During a press conference today, May 18, Public Relations Officer of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force Acting Corporal Ann Joseph, provided an update: “One male identified as Simon Lubin of Leslie Land, Castries was formally charged for insulting words, two counts of threats, and two violations of the Curfew Order. Five other males were also charged for violations of the Curfew Order in relation to that incident,” she said.
Explaining the rationale behind the many charges against Lubin, Milton Desir said: “Based on what we saw on the video— although sometimes videos are not conclusive— however we have statements from the officers who responded to that scene; and the way and manner in which he behaved, the use of abusive and insulting words; he had to be charged criminally for that. It’s not just a mere of breaching the curfew, he committed some offences.”
Desir had previously stated that the incident was of concern to the police force —since it appeared that some officers were in attendance. Speaking today, he said that two police officers were among those charged for violating the Curfew Order. “Officers turned themselves in; some were arrested based on the explanations and the statements that they gave, but others we released pending further investigations,” said the Acting Commissioner.
