Saint Lucia re-appoints first female Police Commissioner

The Saint Lucia government recently made the decision to re-appoint the island’s first ever female police commissioner, Cruscita Descartes-Pelius, for an additional year at the end of her regular term. Cruscita Descartes-Pelius has served the Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) with distinction for thirty years.

She was first appointed to the position in October 2022, considering her extensive service and exemplary record.

A statement was released by the Office of the Prime Minister saying that she had been reappointed as the Police Commissioner, for a term of one year, effective from September 1^st 2023. The statement also mentioned the fact that she had served the Police force in several capacities, as well as the Paris based International Police (INTERPOL).

She also boasts of an academic background in sciences and holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Management Studies. She was awarded the National Service Cross of the Order of Saint Lucia, when the nation’s 2021 independence celebrations took place.

Cruscita Descartes-Pelius’s appointment is expected to bring new training programs for leadership skills, aiming at developing the skills of senior officers. This action is being taken to cultivate a cadre of exceptional officers with the leadership skills to carry the force into a new era.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Ronald Phillip was also praised in the statement. He took the position of acting commissioner before Descartes-Pelius’s reappointment. The Office of the Prime Minister also appreciated the rest of the Police Force and called for their support as the nation looks to enter a new era with regard to its Police services.

Besides the obvious implications of this decision, the Saint Lucia government has also displayed the nation’s push towards a more inclusive and egalitarian society. For the highest-ranking police officer in the nation to be a woman is a great example for the female community of the nation.

Cruscita Descartes-Pelius is also seen as a pioneer in this regard, especially with in the Police Force. Her example is likely to motivate the women of Saint Lucia to pursue administrative services with a renewed vigor. This also opens up the doors for women to find high ranking positions in public office.

What is even more fascinating to note, is that amongst a world full of larger nations with more vocal agendas on the rights and roles of women in modern society, Saint Lucia shines as an example of such an idea’s practical application.

The fact that Cruscita Descartes-Pelius was not just appointed as a Police Commissioner, but reappointed as well, speaks of the high regard she is held in. It also reinforces Saint Lucia’s commitment to appointing people in public offices on the basis of merit alone, with out biases based on gender.

In this manner, Saint Lucia has become an example that many nations and societies around the world can learn from. Hence, it must be said that the path the island nation is on, is commendable and deserves appreciation, not just from other Caribbean nations but the international fraternity as well.