[dropcap]M[/dropcap]aybe when Saint Lucia’s beloved Dame Pearlette Lousiy gave the Governor General’s Throne Speech last year, it was a number in her exit performance. In her pink suit and glorious, wide-brimmed hat, she was easily the centre of attraction in Castries as she stood on a podium outside the House of Assembly. Then she delivered her last Throne Speech during the government’s first debate on the estimates of expenditure.
Less than a year later, Sir Emmanuel Neville Cenac did his duty, in close proximity to the new Senate President Jeannine Michele Giraudy-McIntyre and Speaker of the House Andy Glen Daniel. He noted his government’s initiatives, setting the tone for the 2018/19 budgetary debate, as is customary for a Throne Speech.
Of course, like his predecessor, the Governor General addressed the progress and plans for all the island’s main sectors, but it’s interesting to note that there was a different approach to the justice department than was articulated in Dame Pearlette Louisy’s speech.
Dame Pearlette mentioned that the justice system was a “key priority” for the government. “Justice and the rule of law are among the most durable strands of the fabric of society. Mature democracies are characterized by their ability to provide efficient, accessible justice to all people,” she said. She commended the Director of Public Prosecutions for disposing of more than 300 Criminal Court cases in the span of six months and for the “sacrifice and professionalism of all involved in the justice system”. It was a noteworthy achievement because of the backlog of cases with which the justice department suffers. She noted, “It is our intention to provide the requisite resources for addressing the number of cases still pending before the Criminal Courts, while promoting long-term systemic and administrative efficiency.”
Furthermore, she mentioned improvements with the forensics laboratory and plans for border and immigration regulations. She also mentioned a list of legislative bills for consideration in the upcoming year. Most importantly to many concerned Saint Lucians, she ended that segment of her speech with the controversial IMPACS report. It only lasted a few sentences in which she indicated that the government was “working assiduously” to free itself from the “albatross”, but it was more than Sir Emmanuel, who did not mention it at all.
The new Governor General’s speech began, like others before it, by saluting “the dedicated men and women of our police force and other law enforcement agencies who strive to maintain order against tremendous odds.” However, while his predecessor focused on the provisioning of resources, the focus of his Throne Speech was more on reform, especially within the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.
Sir Emmanuel mentioned his government’s anticipation to execute a community policing programme to which the government “urge[s] all citizens and residents of Saint Lucia to support this endeavour for the sake of Saint Lucia, the only home we have”. He also mentioned strategies for a ‘Use of Force’ Policy, a code of ethics and a succession plan within the police force, among many others. He emphasized the Child Justice Bill, which Dame Pearlette also announced last year.
What was interesting about the trajectory of this year’s speech in relation to the justice system was the personal considerations of the police force. Sir Emmanuel said: “Not only will physical conditions be improved by the upgrading of police stations but welfare concerns will be addressed, and a chaplaincy will be provided to cater to the spiritual needs of our police men and women and enhance their moral and ethical growth.”
Maybe the Police Welfare Association is making some headway or maybe, just maybe, the government is taking its cue from Mrs. Raquel DuBoulay-Chastanet’s Make It Happen Foundation, but the last mentioned plan of the government greatly contrasts with last year’s Throne Speech.
However, the lack of progress with the IMPACS report investigation, and the court houses still being in multiple inconvenient locations, may make the police force sceptical that the promised changes will materialize.
