Prime Minister Philip J Pierre on February 16th, firmly rejected circulating rumors surrounding the appointment of a new Commissioner of Police, insisting that no decision has been taken and warning that reckless speculation risks harming individuals and undermining national security.
“There has been no decision, there has been no decision on the appointment of the Commissioner of Police,” the Prime Minister stated.
“Nor has any senior police officer ever been charged with rape. The Public Service Commissioner has not even looked at the appointment of the Police Commissioner. They haven’t looked at it. But people are speculating who the Police Commissioner will be and adding all sorts of handles to it.”
This comes as a Saint Lucian political activist suggested that the Prime Minister was making moves to replace the sitting Police Commissioner, Verne Garde, with another senior officer who was investigated for sexual misconduct.
In September 2025, Police Commissioner Garde confirmed that the investigation was complete and the senior officer would not be prosecuted.
Pierre expressed concern that unfounded claims are being attached to the process despite the fact that it has not yet commenced. He stressed that neither he nor the relevant authorities has initiated discussions on the matter.
At the same time, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s stance on sexual misconduct.
“My personal position and my government’s position, we are clear. We think sex harassment is horrible and people who are guilty of sex harassment should be brought to the fore. My position is clear. I’ve said so in the public. That’s nothing new.”
He added that while he maintains a firm position on wrongdoing, reputations must not be casually tarnished. “You cannot play with people’s reputations. People have families, and in my case directly, on a matter that has not surfaced.”
The Prime Minister also warned that such speculation carries wider implications beyond political debate.
“When you create a level of instability in the police force, when you make the police force, when you put Saint Lucia’s whole national security framework in jeopardy, it’s not good. You have no benefits in doing that.”
Pierre suggested that attempts to use the issue to target political figures could have unintended consequences. “And you believe you can get after the Prime Minister. I say it again, for now I’ll be okay. But that’s what you affect.”
The Prime Minister’s comments come amid heightened public discussion about leadership within the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.
He maintained that any formal process regarding the appointment of a Commissioner will follow the proper constitutional and administrative channels and cautioned against speculation that could destabilize public confidence in law enforcement institutions.