The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has initiated a significant operational transition, relocating its Gros Islet division from the Human Resource Development Centre to a newly constructed, purpose-built facility in Massade. This strategic move concludes the force’s prolonged dependence on leased accommodations, establishing a permanent base of operations designed for modern law enforcement needs.
This advanced divisional headquarters will accommodate a substantial contingent of personnel, having absorbed 25% of the force’s most recently graduated officers. Senior police leadership emphasizes that this reinforced staffing level will substantially augment the division’s capacity to maintain security and engage with the local community effectively.
During the formal inauguration on February 19, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ronald Philip addressed attending officers, framing the relocation as a profound opportunity rather than a mere change of venue. He challenged the division to embrace the facility as a catalyst for elevated professional standards, describing it as one of the most contemporary police stations in the English-speaking Caribbean. Philip articulated a vision for the headquarters to become a benchmark for professionalism, a paradigm of community-oriented policing, and a institution recognized for its inclusivity, accessibility, and responsiveness to public needs.
Echoing this sentiment, Gros Islet Parliamentary Representative Kenson Casimir highlighted the station’s design philosophy, which prioritizes operational efficiency, enhanced service delivery, and the provision of a secure, professional working environment for officers dedicated to daily community service.
Financed through a Build, Own, Lease, Transfer (BOLT) agreement valued at approximately $35.86 million, the project was a collaborative venture between the Saint Lucian government and NIPRO, a subsidiary of the National Insurance Corporation. NIPRO Chairperson Everistus Jn Marie noted the project’s completion was achieved despite significant challenges, including global supply chain disruptions, extensive hurricane season rainfall, and competitive shortages in labor and materials amid a broader construction surge. Remarkably, the development was finalized without exceeding its initial contractual budget.
With interior furnishings and fittings now complete, the station is poised for imminent occupancy by police personnel. The successful BOLT model employed for this project is already slated for replication in the planned Vieux Fort Administrative Complex, signaling continued partnership between NIPRO and the government.