Commissioner of Police Verne Garde has confirmed for the first time that Castries Central MP Richard Frederick was arrested in connection with an undisclosed allegation which police now say they have been unable to sustain.
Garde made the disclosure during a police press conference on Thursday, where he revealed that an extensive investigation had been conducted into the matter but declined to disclose the nature of the allegation against Frederick, who serves as Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Housing, Local Government and Urban Renewal.
The Commissioner said he had instructed investigators to continue pursuing the matter to obtain all the available facts and told reporters that he had since personally reviewed the investigative file.
Garde said he agreed with the recommendation of the investigating officer, describing the investigation as “very thorough” although complicated. He noted that investigations involving allegations which have been widely discussed publicly over an extended period must be given adequate time to be properly investigated.
The Commissioner, however, said he was legally restricted from revealing the allegation against Frederick or the recommendation contained in the investigative file.
Pointing to Saint Lucia’s Constitution and Criminal Code, Garde explained that the Criminal Code guides the manner in which police can release information publicly at various stages involving allegations. He also stressed the need for the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force to exercise professionalism when releasing information, citing the possibility of litigation and the reputational damage that could result from statements made without sufficient care.
Garde also provided details about the lengths investigators went to in pursuing the matter, revealing that police initially encountered difficulty obtaining a statement from those who made the report.
“We extended all the resources within our remit to try to secure the statement, which we did,” Garde said, adding that the investigating officer had to travel overseas as part of efforts to secure it.
After obtaining the statement, police carried out further investigations which Garde described as “voluminous.” Despite the extent of the investigation, he said police were unable to sustain the allegation.
While the nature of the allegation remains undisclosed, Garde revealed that it is of an indictable nature and could therefore be investigated again if additional information emerges.
“At any point where any information in regard to the allegation surfaces,” Garde said, the RSLPF would still be able to investigate the matter, whether that information emerges “ten or twenty years or fifty years from now.”
For now, however, Garde said the police position is that “the matter has not been sustained at all.”
