CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC -Police have launched an internal investigation into an incident in which police officers are seen in a video that has been posted on social media threatening to shoot a motorist during a traffic stop.
“Without prejudice to the internal investigation or any other judicial inquiry that may result from the events, I wish to state that the officers’ actions deviated from police procedures and the general principles of professional conduct and human rights,” Superintendent Troy E. Lamontagne, the head of the Department of Road Safety and Traffic Investigations, said in a statement.
He said that under Section 23 of the Driving Code, which addresses excessive windshield tint, a violation alone does not warrant vehicle impoundment.
The video, which surfaced earlier this week, shows police officers ordering the driver of the vehicle, believed to be an attorney, to turn off the ignition for an intended vehicle impoundment.
The driver, however, repeatedly demands a ticket instead. Tensions escalate with one of the officers threatening to shoot if the driver attempts to leave, while a female passenger is heard saying, “Hello, there is a passenger in here.”
Lamontagne said that while he is urging the public to comply with lawful police directives, grievances should be addressed through formal channels, such as the Police Complaints Commission or judicial review.
“For the persons out there who have expressed criminal intent or are contemplating criminal acts against police officers who report to work daily to try to do their jobs and carry out their sworn duty and sometimes make mistakes, be warned: erase that criminal intent lest you wish to face a lawful force that you have not heard of or seen before,” he warned.
Lamontagne said, “The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force values partnership with the community and remains committed to… improved road safety for everyone”.
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