A male police officer of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has been charged for murder following investigations into the 2018 shooting death of Ronnie Samuel in Gros Islet. At a press briefing today, August 19, Acting Commissioner of Police Mr. Milton Desir told reporters that it is a sad day for the RSLPF, and he is hoping that there is a speedy trial. Desir did not divulge the officer’s name, stating that it will be released after he has been taken to court.
“Today is a very sad day for the RSLPF I must say,” said Desir. “We have an officer, responding to duty who is now charged for murder. As I’ve said before that officers in responding to situations, you have to ensure that any action that you take, you will be able to justify that action, that is the essence of it. And I am hoping that this officer will be able to justify the action that he took on the day.”
The Acting Commissioner highlighted that this matter was investigated by another police officer, and hopes that the general public takes notice of this. “We keep hearing that when police officers are investigating officers that you would not get results and the case will not go forward. Today, this officer is charged by an officer who was investigating the matter,” he stated.
Desir says that the RSLPF collects evidence and submits it to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who then gives the organisation directives. Based on the directive given by the DPP, he said, the officer was charged. He called on all police officers to continue performing their duties diligently and stressed that, “once you are performing your duties according to the law there should be no fear.” He acknowledged that a lot of officers would be affected by this situation but they need to move on and deal with tackling crime.
Pointing out that the incident was in 2018, Desir stated: “Persons who believe that a matter last year has not gone through, it is the collection of evidence, it takes some time. As we said, when a file is completed, when we have the required evidence that is necessary, the DPP will rule on it.” He called on the public to continue to place their confidence in the RSLPF.
The Acting Commissioner is hopeful that there is a “speedy trial so that the officer would know his fate.”
