For years, Saint Lucia has grappled with low conviction rates, with many cases collapsing due to the unwillingness of witnesses to testify openly for fear of retaliation. The new legislation, police officials say, will change that by establishing a structured witness protection framework.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Luke Defreitas, explained that the new bill lays the foundation for stronger security and anonymity for witnesses.

“That Justice Protection Bill defines the regulatory framework for the physical placement of persons into protective custody, or witness protection, as we usually refer to it,” he said.

Defreitas revealed that additional measures are in the pipeline to further strengthen the system.

“A committee guided by the Office of the Attorney General is presently reviewing a draft Witness Protection Special Measures Act, which will support the Justice Protection Act. The hope is that it will be passed before year-end,” he noted.

The proposed law makes provisions to ensure that witnesses’ identities remain protected during the investigation and prosecution stages of criminal cases.

According to Defreitas, “Provisions are made to keep the identity of witnesses anonymous throughout the investigation of a criminal matter.”

Authorities believe that the new framework will not only protect witnesses but also boost the ability of law enforcement to detect and prosecute serious crimes, offering hope for a stronger justice system in Saint Lucia.