Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has completed a walk through of the nearly finished Northern Divisional Police Headquarters in Gros Islet, reaffirming the government’s commitment to national security and improved working conditions for officers.
The modern facility is entering its final stages and is expected to significantly enhance policing capacity across the northern district.
During the visit, Prime Minister Pierre highlighted the project as an example of local expertise and transparent procurement.
“It is built by Saint Lucians, Saint Lucian architects, Saint Lucian engineers, Saint Lucian contractors,” he said. “It was done by public tender. The contractors are Renee Construction Company Limited and…all local contractors chosen by a tendering process.”
He explained that the development is being financed by NIPRO under a build, own, lease, transfer arrangement. “It will get back to the government after the bolt has been completed,” he noted, describing the project as a sustainable investment in public infrastructure.
Prime Minister Pierre also outlined several measures the government has recently approved to support the welfare of police officers. He stated that the Cabinet has taken decisions to ease financial burdens on law enforcement personnel.
“We gave the police, authorized officers, they pay no firearm licenses, nor do they pay driver’s licenses. These are part of the conditions,” he said.
He stressed that officers are now receiving unprecedented support.
“The police now have the best, the best allowances ever in the history of policing,” the Prime Minister declared.
He added that officers will receive their bonus in December, benefit from a VAT-free day, and have already secured a fourteen percent pay increase. “That is what you can do for the material benefit of the police,” he said.
The soon-to-be-commissioned headquarters is expected to play a central role in strengthening law enforcement operations, improving response times, and creating a modern working environment for officers stationed in the north.