St. Lucian Police Officer charged for murder will not be suspended

A Saint Lucian police officer charged for the offence of murder will not be suspended. The disclosure was made today (Tuesday) by Commissioner of Police Severin Moncherry, during a wide-ranging press briefing at Chesterfield. Constable Mitchell Vitalis was charged for the offence of murder in August 2020, following investigations into the 2018 shooting death of Ronnie Samuel in Gros Islet. The shooting took place while the officer was on duty responding to an incident. Vitalis was granted bail in the sum of $120,000 or suitable surety.

Regarding the status of the officer, Moncherry said: “At this time, Mr. Vitalis is on bail and he is on leave for now.” The Commissioner was then asked whether a determination had been made to suspend the officer or keep him on duty.

“I do not intend to suspend Mr. Vitalis,” he responded. “The legislation gives me the discretion whether I should suspend or not.”

The top cop cited section 32 of the Police Act. It states:

An inspector, subordinate officer or constable against whom any complaint or information for an offence punishable on summary conviction or on indictment is laid, or against whom a charge is made for breach of any disciplinary regulation made under this Act, may, pending, and until final determination of such complaint, information or charge—

(a) be suspended from duty and placed on half-pay by the Commissioner of Police; or
(b) if admitted to bail and not so suspended, be employed on full-time duty, in which case he or she shall receive full pay, or if employed on part-time duty he or she shall receive a rate of pay (not being less than half-pay) as the Commissioner of Police thinks fit.

Commissioner Moncherry further stated: “Having looked at the circumstances and having dealt with this case on its merit, I do not find it necessary for me to have Mr. Vitalis suspended, however he will be placed on desk duty.”

Meanwhile President of the Police Welfare Association (PWA), Travis Chicot, has welcomed the move. In an interview with the STAR last month, Chicot had indicated that the PWA was not in favor of suspension.

He told the STAR today: “We welcome the news from Commissioner Moncherry that he will not go on suspension. This is a good thing for the police; a practice of good judgement from Commissioner Moncherry. So the PWA welcomes this news…The PWA stands and supports him on such a decision at this point in time.”

Speaking on the officer, Chicot went on: “He seems to be doing well, he’s in good spirits. One thing I can tell you is that he’s been getting a lot of support from his colleagues and comrades and even the PWA, personally I have had conversations with him. I must say that he has shown a lot of strength as a young officer.”