40 are to take up duty at the Bordelais Correctional Facility. The recruits who will remain on probation for two years were encouraged to take their roles as Police and Prison officers seriously. Police Commissioner, Ausbert Regis told them that as they embark on their professional lives, they face a new challenging environment that he and other senior officers never faced. He said there was a new breed of criminals out there, who are not afraid to challenge the authority of the Police. The Commissioner however said, the recruits themselves are a new breed of Police, trained differently, trained to overrun the criminals. He called them the brightest stars with fresh thinking and new ideas and together with the experience of senior officers can keep the country safe. Home Affiars Minister Senator Guy Mayers has given his government’s commitment to increasing the numbers of the Police Force. A new batch of recruits is expected to start training in the coming months.
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As the opposition St.Lucia Labour Party seeks to galvanize mass support for the next general elections, the Party will Sunday aim to appeal to the women’s vote by launching its Babonneau candidate, Alvina Reynolds. The SLP says the launch is in keeping with the observance of International Women’s Day under the theme “Equal rights, Equal opportunity, Progress for All.” The SLP Women’s Arm has adopted the international theme, particularly as it believes that the Saint Lucia Labour Party has, as a party and in government worked for the improvement of the lot of women. The organization says it sees, the introduction of (STEP) which employed a large number of women, particularly single mothers, the passage in Parliament of the Labour Code which not only empowered the workforce but especially women who make up a large percentage of the labour force. It says the benefit of the Universal Health Care to many women cannot be overstated. The removal of fees for obtaining medication for persons suffering with both diabetes and hypertension was a remarkable health reform programme which allowed many women proper access to care and treatment. The introduction of universal secondary school education also made a significant difference to the age at which young women left primary schools. The Saint Lucia Labour Party Women’s Organization’s women’s rally will be addressed by Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, the SLP’s endorsed Candidate for Babonneau Miss Alvina Reynolds and a number of other women in the party and other civic groups.The group says it is proud of Miss Reynolds candidacy, because she is a woman of integrity, a long standing community worker, educator and woman of faith. Her candidacy, according to the SLP group, is a commitment by the party to ensure women serve the party and country at the highest levels. The SLP it says, has a proud legacy of women representation, in particularly, former parliamentarian Menissa Rambally.ENDS======== An accident at Vide Boutielle on the four lane highway has further emphasized the need for strict regulation and enforcement for pedestrians to adhere to road safety measures. A woman who seized herself between a utility pole and the median barrier near American Drywall, and suddenly crossed the road was knocked down by an oncoming vehicle. The stunned driver said he never saw the woman coming. The incident infuriated other motorists who said such an incident was bound to happen because pedestrians refuse to use the walk overs built for them. Last year, Communications and Works Minister Guy Joseph had indicated that he was prepared to take legislation to Parliament to address the issue of jay walking. At the time he had said, there were too many instances where drivers found themselves in difficulty because of pedestrians who failed to practice safety first.The woman in yesterday’s incident is said to be doing okay. There has been no word yet on whether the driver will be facing any police action.
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Prime Minister Stephenson King has announced Government’s contribution of EC $100,000.00 to a fund in the name of the late Patricia Ellen Charles. The announcement was made during an address by Prime Minister King at a “Tribute Forum” and Launch of the Patricia Charles Endowment for the Arts, held at the Sandals Regency Golf Resort and Spa. During his address the Prime Minister noted that Pat Charles’ contribution in the areas of arts, culture, education and sports has been legendary. During the ceremony there were glowing tributes paid to Mrs. Patricia Charles by numerous persons representing the many organizations, which she contributed to. These included: The Creative and Performing Arts Society, the National Research and Development Foundation, the Saint Lucia National Trust, Caribbean Natural Resources Institute, M&C Fine Arts Awards Scheme, the Folk Research Centre, the Cultural Development Foundation and the Sharks Swim Club and Saint Lucia Amateur Swimmers Association among others. Tributes were also made by former associates in the person of: Giles Romulus, Alwin Bully, Didicus Jules and Cletus Springer. Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy brought the ceremony to a close by presenting her own tribute to the legacy of Pat Charles during which she recounted some of her personal experiences as a former associate. The Governor General concluded by registering her endorsement of the Patricia Charles Endowment for the Arts.
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