Their appointments were highly praised. But not because of their special qualifications. What had got them the all-important affirmative nod had nothing to do with school certificates and employment record. It seemed what had earned them special praise and given the nation yet another reason for celebration was sexual. Saint Lucia had finally landed not only its first female Commissioner of Police but also its first woman to occupy the office of Chief Executive Officer at WASCO.
On April Fool’s Day 2023, Mrs Zilta George-Leslie, a long-serving management employee was hailed in a press release as “the first female to serve the company in its most senior executive position.” The communique also spoke of the general expectation that she will use her undisclosed wealth of experience and talent to lead and enable WASCO “to progressively meet and exceed the expectations of all stakeholders.”
As for the history making first female to head the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, she was introduced to the population on October 17, 2022 by the Prime Minister himself, Mr. Philip J. Pierre, whose deceased father may well be the nation’s best known police officer, thanks to publicity from the Office of the Prime Minister.
With the newly appointed commissioner Mrs. Crusita Descartes-Pelius at his side in the press briefing room, the Prime Minister had said: “This is a historic time for the nation’s women and is a testimony of our belief in the women of Saint Lucia.”
It is common knowledge by now Descartes-Pelius’ first round was short. Depending on who you talk to, she either resigned or went on accumulated leave after a few months in office. But then, with little fanfare, she was back in the police commissioner’s chair on September 1, 2023. Not long afterward, a government press release got interested citizens up to speed: the reinstated Commissioner of Police was expected to set up “a comprehensive professional training program for senior officers, aimed at cultivating strong leaderships and ushering in a new cadre of leadership within the RSLPF.” It wasn’t clear whether the writer of the release referred to one or two cadres of leaders.
As Saint Lucia opened 2024, the nation’s two main concerns are escalating violent crime and a killing lack of water. By all the countless complainers to the media have said, it seems they believe our celebrated breakers of ceiling glass have fallen short of publicized expectations. Since the year began there have been 13 homicides. Meanwhile, some communities have been without pipe-carried water for several months.
In a statement WASCO’s lead female acknowledged the inconvenience caused by recent water supply interruptions to some areas on the northern system due, she said, to essential maintenance work.
“Your frustration is understandable,” she went on, just like a woman—or mother comforting her child. “We sincerely apologize for the extended duration of these interruptions. We recognize the urgency of the situation and our team is working tirelessly to restore the water supply as quickly as possible. Our technicians are implementing additional measures to expedite the process and to minimize further disruptions.” Some female friends of mine suggested the technicians are quite likely men!
WASCO’s wonder woman, sounding very much like a politician at election time, promised that “towards the end of February 2024, WASCO also intends to execute a planned shut-down of the already compromised raw water line between John Compton Dam and the Vanard Pumping Station. The public will be kept updated with further developments regarding this planned shutdown.” And doubtless, we’ll all be thankful.
Still in promise-them-anything mode, she went on: “Please rest assured we are committed to resolving this current issue to better provide you with a reliable water supply. Your patience and understanding during this time is greatly appreciated . . . Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we work to reinstate your service.” As if consumers had a choice!
On the security front, the nation’s police continue to be outwitted reportedly by youth batting sixes and sevens, who have infiltrated our communities and schools. A blood soaked January was accompanied by wailing mothers and fathers on television and social media.
Before the 13 murders recorded so far this year, Pelius spoke to the media about secret crime-fighting strategies that conceivably would prove more effective than those of her male predecessors. She talked about a number of firearms and ammunition that had been confiscated under her watch. The press was predictably accommodating. It reported that Pelius had delivered “a message of hope for crime prevention, crime reduction, and improved citizen security in 2024.”
Dear reader, if at this point you are convinced competence has nothing to do with sex or gender, consider the following from the Michigan-based Relationship Institute: “Men tend to be more functional in approaching problem-solving. Women are aesthetically-oriented, in addition to being functional. Women tend to place a greater emphasis on ‘atmosphere,’ and are far more sensitive than men to sounds and smells.”
Speaking of smells, do you suppose the Relationship Institute had anything to do with the police commissioner’s decision to send the sniffing dogs packing?
