Police Welfare Association Urges Action After St. Joseph Station Burglary

Police Welfare Association 13th December, 2023

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On behalf of the Police Welfare Association, I want to strongly condemn the recent and unfortunate burglary that occurred at the St. Joseph Police Station and the theft of firearms therefrom. The Police Welfare Association is also very concerned about the manpower shortage that presently exist in the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF).

I call on those who were involved in the burglary and theft of firearms to surrender the firearms. I appeal further to members of the public who have knowledge of the burglary and theft to come forward and assist the Police in the investigation of those crimes.

The Police Welfare Association has over the past six years repeatedly appealed to the Police Command to address the existing manpower shortage at the out district police stations since such shortage would negatively impact the proficiency and productivity of the CDPF. The Police Welfare Association nevertheless expresses sympathy to and solidarity with those hard-working men at the out district police stations who have withstood attacks at their stations and survived working under exceptionally poor working conditions including limited human resources to effectively operate their stations in times of crisis.

The Police Welfare Association also strongly condemns the unfortunate failure of the Chief of Police, immediately following the burglary at the St. Joseph Police Station, to treat certain subordinate Police Officers politely, respectfully, and professionally.

The Chief of Police by his actions abused his position as the highest ranking officer in the CDPF by physically attacking his subordinate officer. The Police Welfare Association is of the opinion that this recent and unfortunate action by the Chief of Police can only further deteriorate the morals of Police officers and by extension the trust of the public in the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF).

There is no question that any physical assault by the Chief of Police on any person arrested for a criminal offence must be strongly condemned.

The Police Welfare Association further believes that at a time in the country’s history and being mindful that policing is more demanding than ever and criminals in their nefarious acts have become more brazen, there is an urgent need for members of the CDPF to be united and to consolidate their efforts to fight against these threats.

Unfortunately, we have witnessed a significant decline in discipline and esprit de corps in the CDPF during the tenure of our current Chief of Police. For example, itis well known that several experienced and competent officers have either resigned or taken early retirement from the force due to what can reasonably be described as the personal shortcomings of our current Chief of Police.

It is also well known that the personal shortcomings of our current Chief of Police which negatively impacts the proficiency and productivity of the CDPF includes his weak management and poor leadership skills, his open display of favouritism in terms of promotion, and his lack of vision coupled with his repugnant attitude towards the rank and file.

The Police Welfare Association believes that it is not in the interest of the CDPF to continue with this poor leadership or lack thereof, along with the current low morale among the rank and file, that certainly does not in any way, shape, or form auger well for the discipline and betterment of the CDPF.

Consequently, the Police Welfare Association strongly advises that it would be in the best interest of the CDPF if the responsible authority would make the necessary arrangements to urgently address the deplorable circumstances in respect of the command of the Police Force.