Government Information Service

by Mervin Matthew
Government Information Service

The Government of Dominica on Wednesday broke ground for the construction of the new Grand Bay Police Station. The construction of the main police station building and the inspector’s quarters are being financed by the governments of Venezuela and Dominica at a cost of 3.6 million dollars.

The new police station will serve the communities of Grand Bay, Pichelin, Petite Savanne, Bellevue Chopin, Bagatelle, Fond St Jean, Dubique, Stowe and Tête Morne.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, Felix Gregoire, these southern communities consisting of about six thousand (6000) persons represent an area with a great need for improving community-police relations as well as ensuring that the police are equipped adequately and they are secured in the execution of their duties.

Cabinet Secretary,
Felix Gregoire

He went on to say that the original police station was vacated in 2000 since the dilapidated building was no longer able to function as a police station. Ten (10) years after the police officers in that district have sought to maintain law and order under very challenging conditions.

“For the past ten (10) years, the police officers were accommodated in less than comfortable physical space in undertaking their duties towards the proper management of crime which is critical to tour national security. The move to a rental property did not address the problem of adequate space to carry out the functions and duties involved in law enforcement. Current living quarters are cramped, thereby, affecting officers’ morale and effectiveness. The presence of female officers in the community is restricted due to the lack of appropriate accommodation for them.”

The Hon. Parliamentary Representative for the Grand Bay constituency, Justina Charles said that is a great moment for the people of Grand Bay.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is a great moment in the history of Grand Bay because the residents of Grand Bay and surroundings have been hearing of the construction of this facility for the past years. We have been waiting patiently and the time is now.”

Hon. Parliamentary
Representative for the
Grand Bay constituency,
Justina Charles

The Grand Bay MP believes the southern division of the police force will benefit significantly from the construction of the new facility.

“The completion of this new facility will see a tremendous improvement in accommodation for male and female officers, more appropriate office space and secure storage facility. This will alleviate the problem of having to frequently transport prisoners to Roseau at odd hours. It will assist in conserving fuel consumption and will also save the Government thousands of dollars on rented property. This should serve to boost the morale of police officers and ensure more effective, efficient policing. This will provide a greater sense of security and service to residents as well as potential investors.”

The new police station will also serve the Petite Savanne constituency. Hon. Parliamentary Representative for that constituency Dr. Kenneth Darroux has recognised the potential benefits and is looking forward to its completion.

“The construction of this facility will alleviate a number of issues facing the hard working police officers assigned to this district; issues such as accommodation for the officers themselves, including the inspector quarters, holding cells for detainees and adequate and ample space among others.”

Venezuela’s Ambassador to Dominica Her Excellency Carmen Marinez De Grijalva says the financing of this project is just one of several designed to bring economic and social development to the island.

Hon. Minister for National Security, Immigration and Labour Charles Savarin says government is committed to ensure that the welfare of police officers is addressed.

“The police are expected to perform their duties without fear or favour, affection or ill will twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, rain or shine. The police are indispensable to our sense of safety and well being. It is fitting therefore, that we as a people and as a government provide the police with the facilities, tools and equipment that they require to carry out their duties. Among these essential facilities are properly established police stations.”

Prime Minister Hon Roosevelt Skerrit in his address expressed gratitude to the Venezuelan government for their contribution to this project and others across the island.

“We cherish the relationship; we cherish the hand of friendship that the Government of Venezuela has extended to Dominica. Ambassador, I am satisfied that the entire country of Dominica, notwithstanding sometimes the ranting or raving which you will hear from time to time from some persons about and against the relationship which exist between Venezuela and Dominica, the vast majority of Dominicans support and cherish this relationship wholeheartedly.”

The contract for the construction of the new police station was granted to a community based construction firm R&L Construction Ltd. of Pichelin. Approximately thirty-five (35) individuals are expected to be employed on the project for a period of sixty six weeks.