Policeman in St Lucia denied bail in case of missing M16 rifle

CASTRES, St Lucia, CMC - A senior police officer in St Lucia was denied bail when he appeared in court Tuesday on theft charges as police continue their investigations into the disappearance of an M16 rifle.

The Major Crimes Unit of the Royal St Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) said that Sergeant Ricardo Jerson Charlemagne was taken into custody last weekend and is assisting with the investigation.

But, he was denied bail when he appeared in the First District Court charged with theft after the M16 rifle was reported missing from the Gros Islet Police Station armoury on February 15.

A RSLPF statement said that the investigation is still in its preliminary stages and said that Police Commissioner, Verne Garde, and the force “strongly oppose” any form of institutional corruption.

“Commissioner Garde assures the public that he will take all necessary steps to ensure that police officers operate within the ambit of the law,” the statement said.

Superintendent Luke Defreitas, who heads the Central Division, has since sought to reassure the public that despite Charlemagne's arrest, the RSLPF remains committed to integrity and justice.

While he has acknowledged the seriousness of the case, he is urging citizens not to lose faith in law enforcement, stating that the actions of one officer do not define the entire force.

Defreitas also warned that corruption and misconduct would not be tolerated and promised transparency as the case unfolds.

Meanwhile, former national security minister, Hermangild Francis, said that if the officer is found guilty, he should receive a firm sentence “so that persons understand that when you hold power in your office, especially as a police officer, you cannot be doing this sort of thing.”

Francis, a former deputy commissioner of police, said there is a need for ongoing officer vetting to prevent future security breaches.

“We have to continue screening our officers as much as possible to ensure that these things do not reoccur,” he said.

The M16 rifle has been described as a lightweight, gas-operated, magazine-fed assault rifle that fires a 5.56mm cartridge, and depending on the model, it can fire in semi-automatic and fully automatic modes.

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