He noted that while the public may hear alarming stories, the data shows positive trends, including a 40 percent reduction in robberies, over 40 percent drop in burglaries, and an overall 16 percent decrease in crime.

“Validation is critical. We do not want to create an atmosphere of fear when the facts tell a different story,” Garde stated.

To strengthen transparency and maintain timely communication, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) will soon launch “RSLPF News at Five”, a news segment broadcast at 5 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays via the force’s own platforms.

“This will allow us to provide updates directly to the public, while also giving the media an opportunity to use these stories,” Garde explained. He highlighted that while monthly press conferences have been consistent, they are not enough to reach all Saint Lucians, noting that some remain unaware of key developments, including his own appointment as Commissioner more than a year ago.

The Commissioner thanked the public for their support and commended the media for consistently reporting RSLPF activities, while cautioning that misinformation can undermine public confidence.

As part of the new strategy, Garde and senior officers will appear more frequently on talk shows to answer questions directly from citizens. “Moving forward, I will do more of that myself, and I’ve instructed my senior command to do the same, at least once a week,” he added.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the RSLPF’s commitment to transparency, stressing that open, accurate communication is vital to building trust between law enforcement and the public.